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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

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http://www.archive.org/details/veterinarydentaOOhine 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 


FOB  THK  USE  OF 


STUDENTS, 

Practitioners  and  Stockmen. 

—BY— 

T.    D.    HlNEBAUCH,    M.    S.,   V.    S., 


Professor  of  Veterinary  Science  at  Purdue  University, 
Lafayette,  Indiana. 


ILLUSTRATED. 


PUBLISHED   BY  THE  AUTHOR. 


LAFAYETTE,  INDIANA. 
1889. 


2.1-12111, 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1889,  by 

T.  D.  HINEBAUCH, 

In  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 


H  K5"22 
H5% 


Chicago   Printing.  Company, 

Printers  and  Binders, 
>!■  &  100  s.  clark  st.,  chicago, 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 
Anatomy   of  the  Superior  Maxilla  —  Pre-Maxilla 

and  Inferior  Maxilla — Sinuses  of  the  Head 7 

CHAPTER  II. 
Teeth — Their   Structure   and   Composition;   Dentine; 
Enamel ;  Cement — Kinds  of  Teeth ;  Incisors,  Canine 
and  Molars — Development  of  the  Teeth 15 

CHAPTER  III. 
Temporary  Dentition  of  the  Horse,  Ox,  Dog  and 
Pig 31 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Absorption  of  the  Deciduous  Teeth 45 

CHAPTER  V. 
Permanent  Dentition  of  the  Horse  and  Ox — Den- 
tition Tables  of  the  Horse  and  Ox 50 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Diseases   due  to  Dentition — Symptoms  and  Treat- 
ment      61 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Caries  of  the  Teeth — Forms,   Symptoms,   Results 

and  Treatment 72 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
Denuding  of  the  Teeth 88 


CHAPTER  IX. 
Exostoses — Their  Nature,  Cause,  Symptoms  and  Treat- 
ment       94 

CHAPTER   X. 
Foreign   Substances — Their  Source,  Symptoms  and 
Treatment — Fractures  of  the  Teeth;  how  caused; 
means  of  effecting  their  removal 115 

iii 


iv  CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

CHAPTER  XL 
Dental  Cysts 124 

CHAPTER  XII. 
Tartar — How   formed;    its   effect   upon   the   Teeth — 

Lampas;  Causes,  Symptoms  and  Treatment 132 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
Projecting  Teeth  in   Horses,    Sheep   and    Pigs— 

Their  Cause,  Results  and  Treatment 139 

CHAPTER    XIV. 
Long,   Sharp   and  Projecting  Edges — Their   Cause, 
Effect  and  Removal — Special  Operations — Side  Lin- 
ing—Shying —  Runaways  —  Method  of  Operating 
for  Each 1 54 

CHAPTER  XV. 
Diseases  of  the  Lower  Jaw — Injuries  from  Heavy 

Curb  Bit 168 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Cribbing — Causes,  Effects  and  Treatment 174 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
Alveolar    Abscesses  —  Their    Formation,    Progress, 

Symptoms  and  Treatment 181 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
Tumors   of  the  Gums — Their  Character,  Causes  and 

Treatment — Epulis 189 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
Nasal  Gleet — Causes,   Symptoms   and   Treatment — 
Trephining — Steps  in  the  Operation — After  Treat- 
ment      19^ 

CHAPTER  XX. 
OsteoPorosis 210 


CHAPTER  XXI. 
Filling  Horses'  Teeth 224 

CHAPTER  XXII. 
Determination  of  the  Age  of  the  Horse,  Ox,  Pig, 
Sheep  and  Dog 240 


pRef/\ce. 


It  is  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  literature  devoted  to 
the  principal  operations  of  veterinary  dentistry,  and 
the  belief  that  such  a  work  will  be  favorably  received 
by  the  veterinary  profession  at  large,  that  the  author 
attempts  this  volume.  With  an  extended  experi- 
ence as  a  veterinary  dentist,  and  scattering  articles 
which  have  appeared  upon  the  subject  from  time  to 
time,  the  bringing  together  of  these  into  a  single 
volume  cannot  fail  to  be  productive  of  good  results, 
in  the  placing  upon  a  scientific  basis  this  most  neg- 
lected division  of  veterinary  surgery. 

It  is  designed  for  practical  stockmen  as  well  as  for 
students  and  practitioners,  hence  technical  terms  have 
been  avoided  as  much  as  possible. 

Scientific  veterinary  dentistry  is  yet  in  its  in- 
fancy. While  operations  upon  the  teeth  of  horses 
have  been  performed  for  many  years,  the  humane 
method  of  handling  horses'  mouths  and  operating  for 
diseases  of  that  cavity  has  been  confined  to  the  last 
fifteen  years. 

The  author  has  drawn  from  various  works, 
notably  those  of  Williams,  Percival,  Owen,  Chau- 
veau,  Clark  and  Parreidt.  Also  others  which  have 
received  credit  where  the  quotations  appear. 

v 


vi  PREFACE. 

The  author  is  especially  indebted  to  Dr.  C.  E. 
Sayre,  D.  V.  S.,  Professor  of  Dental  Pathology  in 
the  Chicago  Veterinary  College,  for  valuable  assist- 
ance, and  to  Dr.  Anderson,  D.  V.  S.,  of  Louisville, 
Ky.,  a  graduate  of  the  Chicago  Veterinary  College, 
for  the  valuable  chapter  on  Osteo  Porosis. 

Professor  Windle,  of  Earhlam  College,  prepared 
most  of  the  drawings  from  original  specimens. 

Sharp  &  Smith,  of  Chicago,  111.,  furnished  the 
cuts  of  instruments,  with  the  exception  of  those 
used  in  filling  teeth;  these  were  kindly  furnished 
by  the  S.  S.  White  Dental  Manufacturing  Co.,  of 
Philadelphia.  The  Photo  Engravings  were  made 
by  the  Photo  Engraving  Co.,  of  New  York. 

The  object  of  the  author  in  presenting  this  vol- 
ume is  to  bring  the  subject  more  clearly  before  the 
public,  and  inculcate  in  them  a  true  conception  of  its 
importance.  No  branch  of  veterinary  science  has 
been  so  universally  ignored  as  that  pertaining  to 
the  management  and  preservation  of  the  teeth  of  the 

domestic  animals. 

T.  D.  HINEBAUCH. 

Purdue  Univtrsity,  Lafayette,  Ind.,  Oct.  i,  1889. 


ERRATA. 
Page  54,  line  seven  from  below  should  read: 
Two  Years... T  TT  O  PPTPPO 


CHAPTER  I. 

ANATOMY    OF   THE    SUPERIOR   MAXILLA,   THE 

PRE-MAXILLA  AND  INFERIOR  MAXILLA. 

SINUSES   OF  THE  HEAD. 

In  no  branch  of  Veterinary  Science  is  it  more 
important  to  possess  an  accurate  knowledge  of  the 
conditions  which  are  present  in  a  state  of  health  as 
well  as  disease,  than  in  the  care  and  treatment  of  the 
teeth.  It  is  only  by  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the 
appearance  of  an  organ  during  health,  that  the  prac- 
titioner is  able  to  recognize  a  diseased  condition. 
And  in  order  that  he  may  remedy  that  defect  and 
restore  the  structure  to  a  healthy  state,  it  is  necessary 
that  he  should  thoroughly  understand  the  nature  and 
extent  of  the  disease. 

ANATOMY. 

In  discussing  the  anatomical  relations  of  the  bones 
of  the  face  and  head  of  the  horse  only  those  will  be 
mentioned  which  are  directly  involved  in  diseases  of 
the  teeth.  These  are  the  superior  maxilla,  the  pre- 
maxilla  and  the  inferior  maxillary  bones. 

The  superior  maxilla  (Fig.  1-4)  is  situated  at  the 
side  of  the  face,  irregular  in  form  somewhat  triangu- 
lar, and  elongated  from  before  backwards.    It  affords 

7 


8  VE  TERINAR  Y  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 

lodgment  for  the  molar  teeth  and  presents  two  sur- 
faces, two  borders  and  two  extremities.  The  exter- 
nal surface  is  convex  and  smooth  and  presents  an 
elongated  horizontal  ridge  opposite  the  fourth  and 


LATERAL    VIEW~OF    THE    HORSES    SKULL. 

I,  Pre-maxilla  bone;  2,  Upper  incisors;  3,  Upper  canine 
teeth;  4,  superior  maxillary  bone;?,  Infra-orbital  foramen; 
6,  Superior  maxillary  spine;  7,  Nasal  bones;  8,  Lachrymal 
bone;  9,  Orbital  cavity;  10,  Lachrymal  fossa;  11,  Malar 
bone;  12,  Upper  molar  teeth;  13,  Frontal  bone;  15,  Zygo- 
matic process  ;  16,  Parietal  bone;  17,  Occipital  protuberance; 
18,  Occipital  crest;  19,  Occipital  condyles;  20,  Styloid  pro- 
cesses; 21,  Petrous  bone;  22,  Basilar  process 523,  Condyle  of 
inferior  maxilla;  24  Parietal  crest;  25,  Inferior  maxilla;  26, 
Inferior  molars;  27,  Anterior  maxillary  foramen;  28,  Infer- 
ior canine  teeth;  29,  Inferior  incisor  teeth. — Chauveau. 

fifth  molar  teeth.  Above,  this  ridge  is  continuous 
with  the  Zygomatic  spine.  The  large  opening  of 
the  infra-orbital  canal  (Fig.  1-5)  opens  on  the  face 
near  the  middle  of  the  upper  surface.      This   gives 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  9 

exit  to  the  facial  division  of  the  fifth  nerve  and  a 
branch  of  the  superior  dental  artery.  The  internal 
surface  forms  the  sides  and  most  of  the  floor  of  the 
nasal  cavity.  At  the  posterior  part  of  this  surface  is 
a  deep  excavation  which  helps  form  the  maxillary 
sinus.  The  inferior  or  palatine  surface  forms  the 
greater  part  of  the  floor  of  the  nasal  fossa  by  which 
it  is  separated  from  the  mouth.  The  under  part  of 
the  palatine  process  is  furrowed  by  numerous  small 
grooves  and  a  deeper  groove  near  its  outside  border 
which  lodges  a  branch  of  the  palatine  artery,  being 
separated  from  the  molar  teeth  by  the  alveolar  pro- 
cess.* The  superior  border  is  thin,  convex,  grooved 
and  serrated  to  articulate  with  the  nasal,  pre-maxilla, 
lachrymal  and  malar  bones.  The  inferior  border  is 
thick  and  strong,  and  is  divided  into  quadlateral  cavi- 
ties which  correspond  to  the  number  of  molar  teeth, 
and  in  which  they  are  lodged.  These  cavities  are 
known  as  alveoli.  The  alveolar  tuberosity,  a  rugged 
eminence,  is  located  just  back  of  the  last  alveolus. 
Anterior  to  the  first  alveolus  the  border  is  thin  and 
covered  by  soft  tissues  helping  to  form  the  interdental 
space.  The  posterior  extremity  is  thickest  and  rep- 
resents the  alveolar  tuberosity,  in  the  interior  of 
which  the  maxillary  sinus  is  prolonged.  Within 
this  eminence,  is  a  wide  and  deep  excavation  known 


♦Sometimes  in  grasping  a  molar  tooth  with  the  forceps,  this  artery  becomes 
wounded  and  may  prove  troublesome  to  the  operator  unless  the  hemorrhage 
can  be  checked. 


10  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

as  the  maxillary  hiatus,  and  which  contains  three 
foramina;  the  first  leads  to  the  palatine  groove  giv- 
ing exit  to  the  palatine  artery,  the  second  enters  the 
maxillary  sinus  passing  along  the  roots  of  the  molar 
teeth  and  dividing  into  two  branches;  one  short  and 
wide  which  opens_  on  the  external  surface  of  the 
bone  on  a  level  with  the  third  molar  tooth,  the  other 
continues  along  the  canal  of  the  bone  to  the  roots  of 
the  incisor  teeth.  The  third, the  palatine  canal,  enters 
the  nasal  chambers  and  gives  passage  to  blood  vessels 
and  nerves.  The  anterior  extremity  of  this  bone 
with  the  posterior  extremity  of  the  pre-maxilla 
forms  a  cavity  in  which  the  canine  tooth  is  lodged. 
The  pre-maxilla  bone  (Fig.  i-i)  occupies  the  anter- 
ior extremity  of  the  face,  and  consists  of  a  thick  por- 
tion and  two  processes.  The  thick  portion  presents 
three  surfaces,  the  external  or  labial,  which  is  smooth 
and  convex ;  an  internal,  which  is  roughened  to  artic- 
ulate with  its  fellow  on  the  opposite  side,  and  is 
traversed  by  a  fissure,  which  forms  with  the  bone  of 
the  opposite  side,  the  foramen  incisivum,  for  the  pas- 
sage of  the  palato-labial  artery  ;  and  an  inferior, 
which  is  smooth  and  slightly  concave  and  shows  the 
continuation  of  the  palatine  fissure  which  opens  into 
the  foramen  incisivum.  Between  the  external  and 
inferior  surface  is  a  thick  border  which  is  divided  into 
two  parts,  an  anterior  and  posterior  ;  the  anterior 
contains  three  alveoli,  which  receive  the  incisor  teeth. 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  11 

Posterior,  it  is  thin  and  completes  the  interdental 
space.  (In  the  Ruminantia  the  pre-maxilla  is  broad, 
its  inferior  surface  flat  and  destitute  of  alveolar  cav- 
ities, hence  it  possesses  no  incisor  teeth  but  instead  is 
covered  by  a  dense  cartilaginous  pad,  against  which 
the  lower  teeth  press  the  food  while  the  animal  is 
grazing).  The  processes  are  external  and  internal. 
The  external  is  the  largest  and  longest,  its  outer  sur- 
face convex  and  smooth,  its  inner  surface  being 
covered  by  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  nose.  The 
internal  process  is  flattened  and  thin,  the  superior 
surface  forming  part  of  the  floor  of  the  nasal  fossa. 
The  inferior  surface  forms  part  of  the  hard  palate. 

The  inferior  maxilla  (Fig.  1-25)  is  a  large  V- 
shaped  bone  situated  below  the  upper  jaw  and  with 
which  it  articulates.  It  consists  of  two  symmetrical 
branches  which  are  flattened  on  both  sides,  wider 
posteriorly  than  anteriorly,  curved  upward  at  the 
upper  third  and  joined  anteriorly  so  as  to  leave  a 
space,  which  is  known  as  the  intermaxillary  space. 
The  external  surface  is  smooth  anteriorly  and  rough 
posteriorly.  The  internal  surface  is  smooth  and  flat 
anteriorly,  and  rough  and  concave  posteriorly.  It 
presents  a  large  opening,  the  inferior  dental  foramen, 
which  passes  through  the  bone  below  the  roots  of 
the  molar  teeth.  The  superior  or  alveolar  border  is 
straight  anteriorly  and  concave  posteriorly.  The 
first  contains  six  alveoli  for  the  lower  molars.     The 


12  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

second,  which  is  thinner,  is  somewhat  roughened  for 
muscular  attachment.  The  inferior  border  is  divided 
into  two  portions,  straight  and  curved,  the  latter 
being  convex  and  thick,  the  first  rectilinear,  thick  and 
rounded  in  the  young  animal,  but  becoming  sharp 
with  age.  The  union  of  the  two  forms  the  angle  of 
the  jaw.  The  posterior  extremity  presents  two 
eminences,  a  coronoid  process  anteriorly  and  a  con- 
dyle posteriorly.  These  eminences  are  separated  by 
a  deep  notch,  the  sigmoid  or  corono-condyloid  notch. 
The  anterior  portion  of  the  inferior  maxilla  is  a 
single  piece,  flattened  above  and  below  and  widened 
anteriorly.  The  anterior  border  is  convex  and  con- 
tains six  alveoli  (in  Ruminantia  eight),  which  receive 
the  inferior  incisor  teeth.  Just  posterior  to  the 
incisor  teeth  are  two  cavities,  one  on  either  side,  which 
contain  the  canine  teeth.  On  the  external  surface, 
about  midway  between  the  canine  and  first  molar 
teeth,  is  a  foramen  (Fig.  1-27),  the  inferior  orifice 
of  the  dental  canal,  which  transmits  the  inferior 
dental  artery  and  inferior  division  of  the  fifth  pair  of 
nerves,  which  supply  the  teeth  with  sensation.  At 
this  place  the  bone  is  constricted  to  form  a  neck. 
Superiorly  there  is  a  ridge,  more  or  less  sharp,  which 
helps  form  the  inferior  interdental  space. 
SINUSES. 
Sinuses  are  winding  cavities  in  the  bones  of  the 
face  communicating  freely  with  each  other,  and  with 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  13 

the  nasal  fossa  of  which  they  may  be  considered  as 
prolongations.  There  are  four  on  each  side ;  viz. : 
The  frontal,  the  maxillary,  the  sphenoidal,  and  the 
ethmoidal.  These  cavities  are  filled  with  air  in 
their  normal  state,  giving  increased  volume  to  the 
head  without  increasing  its  weight.  In  this  manner 
wide  surfaces  are  furnished  for  the  insertion  of  mus- 
cles which  in  this  region  are  large  and  numerous. 

The  frontal  sinus  is  situated  at  the  inner  side  of  the 
orbit,  presenting  very  irregular  walls  which  are 
formed  by  the  frontal,  (Fig.  1-13),  nasal,  (Fig.  1-7), 
lachrymal,  (Fig.  1-8),  externally  and  internally,  the 
ethmoid  and  superior  turbinated  bones. 

The  frontal  sinus  communicates  freely  with  the 
maxillary  sinus  by  a  vast  opening  through  the  thin 
bony  partition  which  separates  the  two  sinuses.  A 
vertical  bony  plate,  perforated  separates  this  sinus 
from  that  of  the  opposite  side,  but  is  always  imper- 
forate. 

The  maxillary  sinus  formed  beneath  the  orbit, 
by  the  superior  maxillary,  (Fig.  1—4),  malar,  (Fig. 
1— 1 1);  lachrymal,  (Fig.  1-8),  externally  and  inter- 
nally by  the  ethmoid  and  inferior  turbinated.  This 
is  the  largest  of  the  sinuses,  and  is  divided  into  two 
compartments  by  a  ridge,  which  contains  the  superior 
dental  canal,  into  an  internal  small  and  shallow,  and 
continuous  with  the  sphenoidal,  and  communicating 
with  the  ethmoidal  sinus,  and  an  external  which  is 


U  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

large  and  divided  into  two  chambers  by  a  transverse 
plate  of  bone  which  always  remains  perfect  through 
life,  completely  isolating  the  anterior  chamber.  This 
plate  of  bone  is  usually  opposite  the  space  between  the 
fourth  and  fifth  molar  teeth,  so  that  by  trephining  over 
that  region  an  opening  will  be  made  in  both  compart- 
ments. The  posterior  of  these  chambers,  sometimes 
known  as  the  superior  maxillary  sinus,  is  continued 
backwards  to  the  alveolar  tuberosity  and  contains  the 
roots  of  the  last  two  molar  teeth.  The  anterior 
division,  sometimes  called  the  inferior  maxillary 
sinus  is  the  smaller  of  the  two  and  has  the  roots  of 
the  fourth,  occasionally  the  third  molar  teeth  pro- 
jecting into  it. 

The  sphenoidal  sinus  is  small  and  formed  by  the 
sphenoid  and  palatine  bones.  It  is  subdivided  by 
incomplete  partitions  into  several  compartments. 

The  ethmoidal  sinus  the  smaller  of  these  cavities 
is  a  space  included  in  the  ethmoid  bone.  It  com- 
municates with  the  maxillary  sinus. 


CHAPTER  II. 

TEETH. 

THEIR  STRUCTURE  AND  COMPOSITION,  DENTINE,  ENAMEL, 
CEMENT  —  KINDS  OF  TEETH — INCISORS,  CANINE  AND 
MOLARS — DEVELOPMENT    OF   THE    TEETH. 

Teeth  are  firm  substances  implanted  in  and  pro- 
truding from  the  maxillary  alveoli,  adapted  for  seiz- 
ing, lacerating  dividing  and  tricturating  the  food. 
They  are  the  chief  agents  in  the  mechanical  part  of 
the  digestive  function.  The  teeth  are  intimately  re- 
lated to  the  food  and  habits  of  the  animal.  They 
vary  in  size,  form,  structure,  position,  attachment  and 
number.  But  in  all  cases  they  are  in  correlation  with 
the  food  and  habits  of  the  animal. 

In  Herbivora,  the  contacting  surfaces  of  the 
molars  are  flat  and  rough  for  grinding  the  food.  In 
Carnivora  the  molars  are  sharp  and  pointed  to  tear 
and  crush  the  food.  In  Omnivora  where  both  pro- 
cesses are  used  the  teeth  are  mixed  in  their  character. 

A  tooth  is  the  most  durable  part  of  the  animal 
body,  and  is  frequently  the  sole  remains  of  an 
animal. 

Teeth  consist  of  a  cellular  and  a  tubular  basis  of 

animal  matter  containing  earthy  particles,  a  fluid  and 

a  vascular  pulp. 

15 


16  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

True  teeth  consist  of  three  tissues  which  are  char- 
acterized by  different  degrees  of  density.  These  are 
the  Dentine,  Enamel  and  Cement  or  Crusta-petrosa. 

Dentine  is  a  hard  whitish  yellow  substance,  form- 
ing the  greater  portion  of  a  tooth,  and  consists  of  an 
organized  animal  basis  disposed  in  the  form  of  very 
minute  tubes  and  cells,  and  of  earthy  particles. 
These  earthy  particles  have  a  twofold  arrangement, 
being  either  blended  with  the  animal  matter  of  the 
interspaces  and  parieties  of  the  tubes  and  cells,  or 
contained  in  a  minutely  and  irregular  granular  state 
in  their  cavities.  The  density  is  due  to  the  propor- 
tion of  earthy  material,  72  per  cent  being  earthy 
matter  and  28  per  cent  animal  matter.  The  tubes 
and  cells  also  contains  a  colorless  fluid,  "liquor  san- 
guinis" which  furnishes  nutrition  to  this  portion  of 
the  tooth.  Dentine  is  non-vascular  in  the  higher 
types  of  vertebrates,  but  in  some  of  the  lower  forms 
the  teeth  are  traversed  by  blood  vessels.  Fig.  2 
shows  a  section  through  a  molar  tooth  and  illustrates 
the  tubuli  of  the  dentine. 

The  enamel  is  a  thin  layer  of  very  dense  tissue 
which  covers  the  crown  portion  of  the  dentine,  and 
and  in  some  animals  (the  horse  and  Ruminantia)  it 
dips  into  the  table  surface  of  the  tooth  to  a  great 
depth.  It  is  very  hard  and  white,  taking  a  high 
polish  during  the  process  of  mastication.  It  consists 
of  96.5  per  cent  of  earthy  matter  and  3.5  per  cent  of 


VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 


17 


animal  substance.  When  enamel  is  examined  micro- 
scopically it  present  small  prismatic  hexagonal  rods 
notched  on  their  faces. 


aa,  Dentine  traversed  by  its  tubuli;  bb,  Interglobular  or 
nodular  layer;  cc,  Cementum.     Chauveau. 


fig.  3. 

#,  Transverse  section  of  enamel,  showing  its  hexagonal 
prisms ;  i>,  separated  prisms.     Chauveau. 

In    simple  teeth  the  whole  free    surface    of   the 

tooth  is  covered  by  enamel. 

The  cement  covers  the  root  portion  of  the  den- 


18  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

tine.  It  commences  at  the  neck  of  the  tooth,  in  very 
thin  layers,  and  continues  to  increase  in  thickness 
toward  the  apex  of  the  root?  and  corresponds  in  text- 
ure to  the  bony  framework  of  the  same  animal,  and 
is  traversed  by  vascular  canals.  Where  natural  cav- 
ities exist  on  the  free  portion  of  a  tooth,  as  in  the  Her- 
bivora,  they  are  occupied  by  crusta-petrosa.  The 
cementum  being  less  dense  than  the  enamel,  it  is 
worn  away  in  the  cavities  of  the  tooth  as  fast  as  the 
projections  of  enamel  are  worn  down,  so  that  the 
grinding  surface  is  retained  during  the  life  of  the 
animal.  The  cementum  has  tubuli  and  cells  re- 
sembling canaliculi  and  lacunae  of  bones.  Indeed 
their  physiological  use  is  the  same.  These  tubuli 
connect  with  the  dental  fibers. 

As  age  increases  the  cementum  increases  in  thick- 
ness and  may  give  rise  to  a  bony  growth  or  exostosis. 
Sometimes  the  teeth  of  young  animals  are  affected 
by  exostosis,  which  is  due  to  an  extraordinary  develop- 
ment of  the  cementum,  for  it  is  this  tissue  that  is 
always  found  in  their  growths. 


FIG.   4. 
MAGNIFIED    SECTION    OF    A    CANINE    TOOTH,  SHOWING  ITS 
INTIMATE    STRUCTURE. 

I,  crown;  2,  2,  neck;  3,  fang  or  root;  4,  pulp  cavity;  5, 
opening  by  which  the  vessels  and  nerves  communicate 
with  the  pulp;  6,6,  dentine,  showing  fibrous  structure;  7,7, 
enamel;  8,  8,   cement.     Chauveau. 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  19 

The  dental  pulp  (Fig.  4-4)  is  enclosed  in  the  den- 
tine and  represents  the  shape  of  the  tooth  in  a  much 
diminished  size.  It  consists  of  fribrilated  connective 
tissue  devoid  of  any  elastic  fibers.  The  dental  pulp 
receives  the  blood  vessels  and  nerves,  and  is  covered 
by  a  thin  membrane,  composed  of  cells  resembling 
cylinder  epithelium  which  contain  one  or  two  nuclei. 
They  are  connected  with  one  another  and  with  the 
spindle  cells,  which  lie  just  beneath  them,  by  fine 
processes  and  also  send  processes  into  the  dentinal 
canals.  Although  dentine  is  often  very  sensitive 
when  exposed,  there  has  never  been  any  nerve  fibers 
traced  leading  from  the  pulp  into  the  dentine.  The 
vessels  of  the  pulp  are  very  numerous  and  enter  the 
tooth  through  the  dentinal  foramen  at  the  apex  of 
the  root,  traverse  the  pulp  and  at  its  upper  surface 
form  circles.  This  gives  to  the  pulp  the  appearance 
of  cavernous  tissue.  The  nerves  which  are  from  the 
fifth  pair  (sensory),  enter  with  the  blood  vessels  and 
form  numerous  branches  within  the  pulp. 

As  age  advances  the  pulp  and  pulp  cavity  dimin- 
ish in  size,  owing  to  the  formation  of  osteo-dentine 
around  that  organ.  This  osteo-dentine  is  deposited 
by  the  pericementum  which  lines  the  pulp  cavity  as 
well  as  covering  the  root  of  the  tooth.  In  old  ani- 
mals the  pulp  cavity  is  sometimes  nearly  obliterated, 
and  is  always  smaller  than  in  young  animals. 

The  receding  of  the  pulp  and  the  closing  of  the 


20  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

pulp  cavity  is  most  active  at  the  time  the  tooth  is  first 
up  and  comes  into  wear. 

Teeth  are  either  simple  or  compound.  Simple, 
as  in  the  dog  and  cat,  where  the  entire  exposed  sur- 
face is  covered  by  enamel ;  and  compound,  as  in  the 
horse  and  ox,  where  two  or  more  tissues  come  into 
wear. 

For  description,  a  tooth  is  divided  into  three  por- 
tions; the  crown,  which  is  that  portion  above  the 
gums;  the  grinding  surface,  being  called  the  table; 
the  cervix  or  neck,  that  part  covered  by  the  gums; 
and  the  fang  or  root,  that  portion  which  is  inserted 
into  the  socket,  or  alveolus. 

Teeth  are  of  three  kinds:  Incisors,  those  occupy- 
ing the  anterior  portion  of  the  jaw;  Canine,  those 
occupying  the  interdental  space;  and  Molars  or 
grinders,  those  situated  in  the  posterior  of  the  jaw 
bone.  In  the  horse  there  are  40  teeth ;  in  Ruminants 
32 ;  in  dogs  42,  and  in  pigs  44.  In  the  horse  the 
dental  formula  will  be : 

Incisors,  \ — f ;" Canines,  \ — \\  Molars,  | — 1=  40 

In  the  Ruminants  the  dental  formula  will  be 

Incisors,  | — £ ;  Canines,  % — \ ;  Molars,  \ — £=  32 

In  the  pig  the  dental  formula  will  be: 

Incisors,  f — |;  Canines,  \ — \;  Molars,  | — "\=  44 

In  the  dog  the  dental  formula  will  be: 

Incisors,  | — f;  Canine,  \ — \\  Molars,  | — 1=  42 


VETERINART DENTAL  SURGERY.  21 

*"The  incisors  or  front  teeth  in  the  horse  are  12 
in  number,  6  in  each  jaw ;  the  upper  ones  are  the 
longest,  their  surfaces  meeting  those  of  the  lower 
ones ;  in  rare  cases  the  former  overlap,"  constituting 
a  "parrot  mouth."  The  central  pair  are  the  largest, 
the  adjacent  ones  are  called  the  middle,  or  lateral, 
while  the  outer  ones  which  are  the  smallest  are  termed 
the  corner  incisors.  [In  Ruminants  which  have 
8  incisors,  the  first  pair  are  called  centrals;  the  second 

FIG.    5. 

THEORETICAL  SECTION  OF  THE  DENTAL 
SAC  OF  A  PERMANENT  INCISOR  IN  THE 
HORSE. 

a,  proper  membrane  of  the  sac;  b, 
Dental  pulp. ;  c,  Papilla  of  the  external  A- 
cavity  of  the  tooth,  a  dependency  of  the  ^ 
enamel  membrane;  d,  Epithelial  layer 
of  the  dentine  membrane;  e,  Cylindrical 
cells  of  the  enamel  membrane;/,  Den- 
tine; g,  Enamel.  The  secretion  of  the 
cement  is  not  supposed  to  have  com- 
menced.    Chauveau. 

pair  internal  lateral;  the  third  pair  external  lateral, 
and  the  fourth  pair  the  corners].  The  row  of  incis- 
ors form  a  curve,  which  is  part  of  the  so-called  den- 
tal arch;  the  younger  the  tooth  the  greater  the  curva- 
ture, which  gradully  decreases  with  age.  The  anter- 
ior surface  of  a  young  incisor  tooth  presents  a  trian- 
gular shape,  with  the  base  at  the  table.  Viewed 
laterally  it  is  still  triangular,  but  its  apex  is  at  the 
table.     The  table  is  therefore  oblong,  its  long   axis 

♦Strangeway. 


22  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

following  the  line  of  the  dental  arch.  As  it  wears  it 
narrows  laterally,  but  its  short  axis  widens  until  in 
old  age  it  is  nearly  round,  what  was  the  fang  being 
in  wear. 

The  free  surface  of  an  incisor  tooth,  excepting 
the  table,  is  covered  by  a  layer  of  enamel,  (Fig.  6 — 4 
A,)  the  fang  which  is  a  single  process,  being  covered 
by  crusta-petrosa.  Towards  the  center  of  the  table 
in  a  young  tooth  a  second  ring  of  enamel  is  visible 
(Fig.  4 — 4,  b,)  which  is  the  mouth  of  a  funnel-shaped 
cavity  called  the  infundibulum.  This  cavity  in  the 
young  animal  is  ovoid,  its  long  axis  following  that  of 
the  table;  it  is  lined  by  crusta-petrosa,  which  becom- 
ing stained  by  the  food  constitutes  the  so-called 
"mark."  The  space  between  the  two  tubes  of  enamel 
is  filled  up  with  dentine;  hence  the  table  is  a  com- 
pound one — i.  e.  all  three  of  the  dental  tissues  are  in 
wear  on  it.  The  infundibulum  or  mark  being  coni- 
cal in  shape,  wears  with  the  tooth,  becomes  smaller 
and  ultimately  vanishes. 

In  the  center  the  table  in  front  of  the  mark  is 
broader  than  behind  it,  and  as  the  tooth  wears  it  still 
broadens.  In  this  space  sometimes  a  spot  is  apparent 
which  differs  from  the  rest  of  the  dentine;  it  is  the 
osteo-dentine  covering  the  pulp  cavity.  This  object 
(Fig.  6—4,  c,)  has  been  termed  the  dental  star.  The 
corner  teeth  may  have  no  posterior  tables  constituting 
shell  teeth;  rarely,  they  are  absent  in  every  tooth 
when  we  have  a  shell  mouth. 


VE TERINAR T  DENTAL  S  URGER T. 


23 


The  incisor  milk  teeth  are  whiter  than  the  per- 
manent ones,  and  have  distinct  necks  (Fig.  6,  5.), 
the  neck  of  the  permanent  tooth  being  imaginary. 


fig.  6. 

Incisor  Teeth  of  the  Horse.  Details  of  Structure. 
1,  A  tooth  in  which  is  indicated  the  general  shape  of  a 
permanent  incisor,  and  the  particular  forms  successively  as- 
sumed by  the  dental  table  in  consequence  of  friction,  and 
the  continued  pushing  outwards  of  these  teeth.  2,  A  virgin 
tooth  anterior  and  posterior  faces.  3,  Longitudinal  section 
of  a  virgin  tooth  intended  to  show  the  internal  conforma- 
tion and  structure.  4,  Transverse  section  for  the  same 
purpose.  «,  Encircling  enamel;  b,  Central  enamel;  c,  Den- 
tal star;**/,  Dentine.     5,  Deciduous  teeth.     Chauveau. 


24  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

Permanent  incisors  are  convex  anteriorly,  the  lower 
incisors  have  one,  the  upper,  two  grooves  down  the 
center  of  the  body.  These  are  filled  with  cementum, 
but  are  absent  in  old  teeth. 

[*"The  follicle  in  which  the  incisor  teeth  are  de- 
veloped shows  only  two  papillae;  one  for  the  secretion 
of  the  dentine  lodged  in  the  internal  cavity  of  the 
tooth,  and  hollowed  into  a  cup-shape  at  its  free  ex- 
tremity. The  other  is  contained  in  the  external  cul- 
de-sac  (Fig.  5,  a.  b.  c.")]. 

The  tushes,  tusks  or  canine  teeth,  well  developed 
in  dogs  and  other  carnivora,  are  simple  teeth,  four  in 
number,  two  above  and  below.  They  rest  in  the  in- 
terdental spaces,  the  lower  being  nearer  the  incisors 
than  the  upper  ones;  they  are  permanent  and  appear 
between  the  fourth  and  fifth  year,  sometimes  a  year 
in  advance.  The  crown  is  somewhat  conical,  the  base 
being  at  the  gums.  The  external  surface  is  convex 
and  marked  by  several  longitudinal  lines ;  the  internal 
surface  presents  on  either  side  a  sharp  ridge,  which 
separates  it  from  the  external.  The  crown  ter- 
minates in  a  conical  eminence;  somewhat  hollowed 
internally  during  growth,  and  bounded  by  a  sharp 
ridge.  When  a  tusk  has  been  long  in  wear,  the  ridge 
disappears,  and  the  internal  surface  becomes  nearly 
smooth,  and  as  the  apex  of  the  tooth  becomes  worn 
away,  often  a  small  mark  appears  but  no  second  ring 

*Chauveau. 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  25 

of  enamel.  In  the  horse  tribe  as  a  rule  canine  teeth 
are  only  developed  in  the  male;  if  they  exist  in  the 
female  they  are  rudimentary. 

The  molars  or  grinders  are  24,  6  on  each  side, 
above  and  below.  They  are  numbered  from  before 
backwards  (Fig.  32),  and  like  the  incisors  those  of 
the  upper  jaw  are  the  largest.  A  molar  tooth  is 
constructed  on  the  same  general  plan  as  an  incisor, 
but  the  contour  of  the  various  parts  is  much  more 
irregular.  There  are  generally  two  infundibula  con- 
taining a  large  quantity  of  cementum,  a  layer  of 
which  also  covers  a  greater  part  of  the  extern  al 
enamel.     (Fig.  7— A  A). 

The  crown  of  the  upper  molars  is  somewhat  cubic; 
their  external  surface  presents  two  grooves  running 
from  table  to  root,  the  anterior  being  the  deeper. 
The  crown  of  the  lower  molars  is  narrower  and 
longer  than  that  of  the  upper 
ones  and  has  only  one  groove. 
The  inner  surface  of  the  up- 
per molars  is  not  so  deep  as  the 
outer,  while  the  inner  surface  of 
the  lower  ones  is  deeper.  The 
two     lower     rows     diverge 

transverse  section  of  towards  the  back  of  the  mouth, 
a    horse's     upper 
molar  tooth.  while  the  two  upper  rows  are 

a,  external  cement;  b,  rather  convex  externally, 
external  enamel;  c,  den- 
tine; d,  internal  enamel;         "A  horse  may  have  super- 
e.internal  crusta-petrosa.  .,         , 

Chauveau.  numerary  molar  or  wolf  teeth; 


26  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

these  are  small,  and  placed  on  each  side  of  the  jaw, 
anterior  to  the  first  molars." 

ANATOMY  OF  THE  TEETH. 

Teeth  are  papilla?  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the 
gum  which  have  undergone  a  characteristic  develop- 
ment. During  their  growth  they  become  fixed  in 
their  alveolar  cavities  which  allow  more  or  less 
motion  during  the  process  of  mastication.  While 
the  process  of  development  is  going  on  part  of  the 
papilla  is  transformed  into  a  layer  of  dentine,  while 
the  epithelium  covering  the  papilla  produces  the 
enamel ;  the  crusta-petrosa  being  added  during  the 
growth  of  the  tooth,  it  being  a  product  of  that  divi- 
sion of  the  periodental  membrane  which  clothes  the 
tooth. 

The  pulp  represents  the  remainder  of  the  dental 
papilla,  around  which  the  dentine  was  deposited, 
and  is  composed  of  a  very  vascular  fibrilated  connec- 
tive tissue  and  is  devoid  of  any  elastic  fibers.  The 
outer  layer  of  cells  resemble  columnar  epithelium, 
which  contains  nuclei  and  fine  grained  protoplasm. 
These  lie  in  direct  contact  with  the  dentine  building 
up  that  part  of  the  tooth.  These  cells  send  off  long, 
fine  branched  processes  into  the  dentinal  canals, 
while  their  nucleated  bodies  lie  on  the  surface  of  the 
pulp  and  form  a  connection  between  the  cells  of  the 
pulp  and  dental  tubes.  All  the  vessels  of  the  pulp 
enter   the   tooth  through  the  dental  foramen  at  the 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  27 

apex  of  the  root.  The  nerve  fibers,  which  are  sen- 
sory and  from  the  fifth  pair  (trigeminous),  enter 
with  the  blood  vessels  and  by  dividing  form  numer- 
ous branches,  some  of  which  become  very  fine  and 
enter  between  the  odonto  blasts.  Beyond  this  the 
nerve  fibers  cannot  be  traced  and  their  mode  of  ter- 
mination is  as  yet  unknown. 

The  periodental  membrane  covers  the  root  of  the 
tooth  and  is  connected  with  the  osseous  alveolus,  in 
which  the  tooth  is  firmly  lodged.  In  this  membrane 
are  developed  the  cemento  blasts  which  build  up  the 
cementum,  and  also  the  osteo  blasts  which  build  up 
the  walls  of  the  alveolus.  In  addition  this  membrane 
also  contains  osteo  clasts  for  the  removal  of  portions 
of  the  walls  of  the  alveolus.  This  process  accom- 
modates the  changes  which  take  place  during  the 
growth  of  the  tooth.  As  the  tooth  enlarges  and 
presses  on  the  walls  of  the  alveolar  cavity,  these  osteo 
clasts  absorb  the  walls  of  the  alveolus,  diminishing 
its  thickness  in  proportion  to  the  increase  in  size  of 
the  tooth.  The  osteo  clasts  also  exert  an  influence 
in  shaping  the  roots  of  the  teeth,  or  in  changing 
their  form.  The  thickness  of  the  membrane  varies 
very  much  in  different  animals  and  around  different 
teeth  of  the  same  animal.  It  is  thickest  in  the 
young  animal,  gradually  decreasing  as  age  advances. 

The  periodental  membrane  always  closely  sur- 
rounds the  root  or  fang  and  fills  the  alveolar  cavity. 


28  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

It  also  surrounds  the  body  of  the  tooth  to  the  neck 
or  cervix. 

During  the  growth  of  the  periodental  membrane 
it  becomes  closely  allied  to  the  surface  of  both  the 
cementum  and  the  bone.  The  fibrous  elements  fix 
and  retain  the  tooth  in  its  position.  These  fibers 
forms  the  bulk  of  the  tissue  of  the  membrane  and 
have  their  ends  fixed  in  the  cementum  of  the  tooth 
on  one  side  and  in  the  bone  which  forms  the  walls  of 
the  alveolar  process  on  the  other,  being  stretched 
across  the  intervening  space  in  various  directions. 

The  periodental  membrane  is  highly  supplied  with 
nerves  which  enter  through  the  walls  of  the  alveolus 
and  by  way  of  the  gums  below  the  alveolus. 
DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  TEETH. 

The  development  of  the  teeth  begins  from  the 
sixth  to  the  seventh  week  of  foetal  life.  Prior  to 
this  time  there  is  a  thick  projecting  ridge  of  epithe- 
lium cells,  known  as  the  dental  ridge,  which  extends 
along  the  whole  length  of  the  jaw.  At  this  time  a  de- 
pression is  formed ;  the  dental  groove  in  the  mucous 
membrane  of  the  gum.  This  is  also  filled  with  layers 
of  epithelium  which  form  follicles  or  sacs.  They 
correspond  in  number  to  the  temporary  dentition, 
there  being  one  for  each  temporary  tooth.  The  den- 
tal groove  gradually  deepens  throughout  its  whole 
length,  and  later  is  filled  with  epithelium  cells,  which 
form  the  enamel  organ.     Each  follicle   or   sac  cor- 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT.  29 

responds  to  a  tooth  and  is  divided  from  those  adjoin- 
ing by'  prolongations  of  connective  tissues,  covered 
by  the  periodental  membrane  which  passes  across  the 
groove.  This  forms  the  tooth  socket.  From  below 
in  the  lower  jaw  and  from  above  in  the  upper  jaw  a 
papilla  of  connective  tissue  grows  towards  the  follicle 
which  later  on  becomes  the  dentine  organ  being 
covered  by  the  enamel  organ  like  a  cap. 

At  about  the  fourteenth  week  of  foetal  life  a 
vascular  tissue  is  developed  about  the  enamel  organ 
and  dentine  germ  which  becomes  the  dental  sac. 
Several  weeks  later  the  papillae  undergo  a  change 
and  assume  the  forms  of  the  crowns  of  the  teeth. 
Small  membranous  lid-like  coverings  are  developed 
from  the  side  of  the  follicle,  corresponding  in  number 
and  shape  with  the  table  surface  of  the  teeth.  The 
side  of  the  follicles  and  the  lid-like  membrane  close 
and  form  sacs.  Just  previous  to  the  closing  of  the 
sacs  of  the  milk  teeth,  a  depression  is  noticed  behind 
and  inside  of  each  follicle.  These  are  the  cavities  of 
reserve  which  eventually  form  follicles  for  the  de- 
velopment of  the  permanent  teeth  which  replace  the 
temporary.  The  papilla  enlarges  and  is  converted 
into  the  pulp  which  resembles  the  crown  of  the 
tooth.  The  process  of  calcification  now  begins;  a 
thin  layer  of  dentine  is  developed  from  the  covering 
membrane  on  the  outer  part  of  the  pulp,  layer 
after  layer  being  deposited   from  the   substance   of 


30  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

the  pulp,  which  gradually  decreases  in  size  as  the 
dentine  increases.  At  the  same  time  the  enamel  is 
formed  from  the  enamel  organ,  it  being  deposited  in 
crystals,  the  cement  is  produced  from  calcification  of 
that  portion  of  the  periodental  membrane  lying  next 
the  tooth.  As  calcification  advances,  the  tooth 
presses  its  way  through  the  gums,  which  become 
absorbed.  At  the  same  time  the  divisions  between 
the  teeth  become  ossified,  so  that  each  tooth  is  wholly 
surrounded  by  bony  structures,  except  the  crown 
which  is  gradually  pushed  up  by  the  lengthening  of 
the  roots.  As  the  tooth  grows  the  dental  sac  elon- 
gates gradually  diminishing  in  size  owing  to  the  form- 
ation of  dentine  on  its  outer  surface,  until  only  a  small 
cavity  is  left  in  the  center  of  the  root  in  which  rests 
the  dental  pulp. 


CHAPTER  III. 

TEMPORARY  DENTITION  OF  THE  HORSE,  OX, 
DOG  AND  PIG. 

The  temporary  (sometimes  called  milk  or  decidu- 
ous) teeth  of  the  foal  are  twenty-four  in  number, 
twelve  incisors  or  nippers  and  twelve  molars  or 
grinders,  six  above  and  six  below  of  each  kind. 
They  present  a  dental  formula,  thus: 

Incisors,  | — |;  molars,  | — J-=24. 

The  temporary  molars  are  up  at  or  a  few  days 
after  birth;  but  the  incisors  make  their  appearance  at 
different  periods. 

The  incisors  are  divided  into  central,  those  nearest 
the  mesian  line;  lateral  or  dividers,  those  on  either 
side  of  the  central ;  and  corners,  those  on  the  outside. 
They  are  sometimes  known  as  the  first,  second  and 
third  pair. 

At  birth  the  foal  usually  has  no  teeth,  but  a  mem- 
brane-like covering  for  the  incisors.  The  molars 
appear  in  two  or  three  days.  The  incisors  are  cut  in 
pairs,  two  above  and  two  below  at  a  time.  The 
first  pair  protrude  at  from  birth  to  eight  days,  usually 
about  the  fifth.  The  second  pair  at  from  four  to  six 
weeks.     It  usually  takes  about  two    months  for  the 

31 


32  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

first  and  second  pairs  to  attain  their  growth.  The 
third  pair  is  cut  at  from  six  to  nine  or  ten  months,  the 
time  varying  much  more  than  for  the  other  teeth. 
It  also  takes  longer  for  this  pair  to  develop,  usually 
about  three  months. 

The  cutting  of  these  teeth,  unlike  those  of  chil- 
dren, do  not  seem  to  give  any  trouble  whatever  to 
the  animal.  The  gums  do  not  swell  or  tumefy,  but 
retain  their  natural  appearance. 

During  this  time  the  foal  feeds  well,  seemingly 
suffering  no  inconvenience  during  mastication. 

The  milk  teeth  are  smaller  and  whiter,  with  a 
better  marked  neck  than  the  permanent  teeth.     (Fig. 

6-5)- 

The  outside  covering,  the  encircling  enamel,  is 
very  thin  and  nearly  transparent.  This  milky  white- 
ness *"  is  due  to  the  absence  of  crusta  petrosa;  their 
crown  is  finely  striated  and  not  cannular  on  the  an- 
terior surface.  The  external  infundibulum  is  shal- 
low ;  they  are  not  constantly  pushed  out  from  their 
cavities,  their  growth  ceasing  when  they  begin  to  be 
used." 

The  central  pair  of  incisors  is  the  longest  and  the 
corner  one  the  smallest.  The  average  size  of  the  in- 
cisor teeth  is  about  an  inch  and  a  quarter  in  length, 
one  half  to  three-fourths  inches  wide,  and  about 
three-eighths  of  an  inch  in  diameter;  convex  on  their 

*Chauveau. 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  33 

external  surface  and  slightly  concave  on  their  internal 
surface,  with  a  groove  running  the  whole  length  of 
the  tooth.  As  the  teeth  become  older  they  change 
in  color,  and  assume  more  of  a  yellowish  tint.  The 
growth  of  the  jaw  forces  them  apart,  so  that  each 
tooth  stands  by  itself.  These  teeth,  unlike  the  per- 
manent ones,  are  seldom  covered  with  a  thick  coat  of 
tartar. 

The  molars  are  about  an  inch  and  a  quarter  in 
length  and  nearly  an  inch  in  diameter.  The  short — 
transverse — diameter  of  the  upper  molars  is  about 
three-quarters  of  an  inch,  and  of  the  lower  molars 
much  less.  The  temporary  molars  are  much  smaller 
than  the  corresponding  permanent  ones. 

The  incisor  teeth  are  shed  in  the  order  in  which 
they  are  cut.  The  first  pair  is  replaced  by  permanent 
teeth  at  two  and  a  half  to  three  years,  and  are  up  and 
in  wear  before  the  next  pair  are  ready  for  shedding, 
thus  leaving  two  pairs  of  sound  teeth  in  wear  for 
masticating  food,  during  the  whole  process  of  shed- 
ding. The  second  pair  are  shed  at  three  and  one-half 
to  four  years,  and  the  third  at  four  and  one-half  to 
five  years.  At  five  years  of  age  the  permanent  teeth 
are  all  up  and  in  wear.  All  incisor  teeth,  both  tem- 
porary and  permanent,  present  their  anterior  side 
first;  after  they  are  in  wear  for  a  short  time,  it  is 
reduced  to  a  level  with  the  inner  surface. 

The  fourth  molar  makes  its  appearance  at   the 


34  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

tenth  to  the  twelfth  month  and  is  permanent.  At 
two  to  two  and  a  half  years,  the  fifth  molar  is  cut, 
and  the  first  and  second  temporary  molars  replaced 
by  permanent  ones.  At  three  and  one  half-years  the 
third  temporary  molar  is  replaced  by  a  permanent 
one,  and  at  four  and  one-half  to  five  years  the  sixth 
— permanent — is  cut.  At  five  the  molars,  as  well  as 
the  incisors,  are  up  and  in  wear  and  the  horse  is  then 
said  to  have  a  "full  mouth." 

The  temporary  canine  teeth  are  rarely  ever 
noticed  by  the  casual  observer,  they  being  very  rudi- 
mentary, and  thus  far  have  received  but  very  little 
consideration  from  veterinarians.  This  is  probably 
due  to  the  fact  that  they  produce  no  serious  results, 
and  are  so  small  that  they  are  rarely  ever  seen. 

* "  Some  veterinarians,  and  among  them  For- 
thomme  and  Rigot,  have  witnessed  instances  in 
which  they  were  replaced;  but  the  very  rare  excep- 
tions cannot  make  us  look  upon  these  teeth  as  liable 
to  be  renewed.  We  must  not,  however,  confound 
with  these  exceptional  cases,  the  shedding  of  a  small 
spicula  or  joint,  which,  in  the  majority  of  horses,  pre- 
cedes the  eruption  of  the  real  tusks." 

-j-"The  small  deciduous  canine  is  cut  about  the 
sixth  month,  at  about  the  time  the  third  or  corner 
incisors  are  cut.  The  lower  tusk,  owing  to  its  dimin- 
utive size,  and  its  being  so  close  to  the  incisor,  is  shed 


*  Chauvean.  t  Prof.  Owen. 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  35 

almost  as  soon  as  the  crown  of  the  contiguous  incisor 
is  in  full  place,  being  carried  out  by  the  same  move- 
ment." The  deciduous  canine  of  the  upper  jaw  is 
shed  the  second  year. 

They  are  small  and  occupy  the  position  that  is 
eventually  taken  by  the  permanent  canines.  They 
are  very  small  as  compared  with  the  other  teeth, 
being  from  one-fourth  to  three-eighths  of  an  inch  in 
length  and  from  one-sixteenth  to  one-eighth  of  an 
inch  in  thickness.  I  have  invariably  found  them 
present  in  both  colts  and  fillies,  when  preparing 
heads  for  anatomical  specimens,  provided  the  animals 
from  which  the  heads  were  taken  did  not  exceed  six 
weeks  of  age.  Up  to  that  time  they  are  thoroughly 
imbedded  in  the  bones.  The  shedding  of  the  teeth 
usually  takes  place  in  the  spring  and  early  summer. 
Occasionally  we  find  colts  that  shed  their  temporary 
teeth  in  the  fall  and  winter;  but  such  instances  are 
comparatively  few. 

TEMPORARY    DENTITION  IN  THE  OX. 

The  temporary  teeth  of  the  calf  are  twenty  in 
number ;  eight  incisors  all  below,  and  twelve  molars, 
six  above  and  six  below.  They  present  a  dental 
formula,  thus: 

Incisors,  £ — |-;  Molars,  | — 1=20. 

The  molars  are  all  up  before,  or  a  few  days  after 
birth;  but  the  temporary  incisors  make  their  appear- 
ance at  different  periods. 


3 
6  VETERINARY  DEXTAL  SURGER2. 

The  temporary  incisor  teeth  of  the  calf  are  all 
situated  in  the  lower  jaw,  and  are  eight  in  number. 
They  differ  from  those  of  the  horse  in  being  turned 
more  outwards.  They  are  chisel  shaped,  convex  on 
the  external  surface,  and  concave  on  the  internal  sur- 
face. The  neck  is  small  and  much  better  marked 
than  in  the  horse. 

These  teeth,  unlike  those  of  the  horse,  possess  a 
certain  amount  of  mobility,  thus  preventing  injury 
to  the  cartilaginous  pad  above;  they  are  not  fixed  in 
the  alveoli.  This  condition  is  sometimes  mistaken 
for  disease  and  the  poor  animal  has  to  suffer  an  oper- 
ation, which  varies  according  to  the  fancy  of  the 
operator.  Some  empirics  have  been  known  to 
scarify,  and  even  burn  the  gums,  in  the  vain  hope 
"  that  the}-  would  heal  and  the  teeth  become  solid  in 
their  sockets." 

The  incisors  are  divided  into  central,  internal 
lateral  (first  intermediate),  external  lateral  (second 
intermediate),  and  corner.  * "  The  two  temporary 
central  incisors  are  always  separated  by  a  marked 
interval,  depending  upon  the  thickness  of  the  fibro 
cartilage  in  the  maxillary  symphysis  during  youth." 

The  roots  of  the  temporary  teeth  become  absorbed 
by  the  permanent,  as  in  the  horse. 

The  anterior  portion  of  the  upper  jaw  is  covered 
by  a  thick  cartilaginous  pad,  continuous  with  the 
mucous  membrane  of  the  hard  palate. 

*Chauveau. 


VE  TER1XAR  2 '  DEN TAL  S I 'RGER 1  '. 


37 


Rare  instances  occur  where  one  or  two  incisor 
teeth  are  developed  in  the  upper  jaw;  but  they  are 
so  seldom  noticed  that  a  farther  consideration  than  a 
mere  mention  is  not  deemed  necessarv. 

The  central  incis- 
ors and  first  interme- 
diate (internal  lateral), 
are  up  before  or  some 
davs  after  birth;  the 
second  intermediate 
(external  lateral),  at 
fourteen  davs.  and  the 
corner  by  the  twenty- 
first  day. 

The  milk  teeth  of 

&a.  free  portion,   external   face,  the  calf  are  also  much 

outer    border;    &,   Ibid,   internal 

face,   outer   border:    b,   root:    c,  smaller     and      whiter, 

neck:  ft    anterior   border:  g;  g',  .. 

inner  border.     Chanvcan.  and  as  the  calf  grows, 

the  spaces  between  them  widen  until  they  are  finally 
shed. 

The  incisor  teeth  are  shed  in  the  order  in  which 
they  are'first  cut.  The  central  pair  are  replaced  by 
permanent  ones  at  one  and  one-half  years,  and  are  up 
and  in  wear  at  from  one  year  and  ten  months  to  two 
years.  The  first  intermediates  are  replaced  by  per- 
manent ones  at  two  and  one-half  vears,  and  are 
up  and  in  wear  at  three  vears ;  the  second  interme- 
diates'1 at  three  vears  and  three  months,  and  are  up  and 


FIG.    S. 
OX'S    IXCISOR    TOOTH. 


38 


I  ~E  TER  fNAR  1 '  DEN  TAL  S  URGER  2 '. 


in  wear  at  four  years.  The  corner  incisors  are  replaced 
by  permanent  ones  at  three  years  and  nine  months, 
and  are  up  and  in  wear  at  four  years. 


fig.  9. 

THE    TEETH    OF    THE    OX. 

i,  upper  jaw  with  a,  the  friction  surface  and 
l>,  the  external  surface;  2,  lower  jaw  with<7,  the 
dental  tables,  and  I?,  the  external  surface.  Chan- 
veau. 


VETERINAR7  DENTAL  SURGERT.  39 

The  first  molar  is  replaced  by  a  permanent  one  at 
one  and  one-half  to  two  years;  the  second  molar  at 
two  and  one-half  to  three  years ;  and  the  third  at  three 
and  one-half  years.  The  fourth  molar  is  cut  as  a 
permanent  one  at  three  to  nine  months.  The  fifth 
molar  is  cut  as  a  permanent  one  at  two  to  two  and 
one-half  years.  The  sixth  molar  at  from  three  and 
one-half  to  four  and  one-half  years. 

The  central  pair  of  incisors  are  the  widest  and 
largest;  they  gradually  diminish  in  both  length  and 
width  toward  the  corners,  which  are  the  smallest. 

The  temporary  dentition  o£ 
the  sheep  and  goat  is  similar  to 
that  of  the  ox ;  they  present  the 
same  dental  formula,  but  differ 
in  that  the  incisors  present  their 

Incisor  Teeth   of  free  ends   (table   surface),  to  the 
A  Sheep  Two  Years  . 

Old.  cartilaginous   pad  above,    while 

The    second    inter-  .,  ,-,  •  ■  i         t 

mediates   and   corner  m   the   ox   the    posterior   side   of 

incisors  have  not  yet  the     tooth     presses    a?ainst    the 
been  replaced.*  Lhau-  * 

veau.  pad. 

TEMPORARY  DENTITION  OF  THE  DOG. 

The  temporary  teeth  of  the  dog  are  thirty 
in     number;     twelve     incisors,     four     canine,     and 

*It  is  almost  impossible  to  give  a  correct  dental  formula;  of  cattle 
owing  to  the  various  modes  of  treatment  to  which  they  are  subjected. 
Some  are  so  fed  and  housed  that  they  mature  early,  while  others  do  not 
get  their  growth  until  a  much  later  period.  The  tendency  to  early  maturity 
which  is  so  highly  developed  in  the  beef  producing  breeds,  is  accompanied 
with  a  change  in  the  period  of  dentition. 


40  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

fourteen  molars.  They  present  a  dental  formula, 
thus: 

Incisors,  | — f  ;  Canine,  \ — \  ;  Molars,  | — |. 

The  incisors,  six  in  each  jaw,  are  divided  as  in 
the  horse,  into  central,  lateral  and  "corner  incisors. 
They  differ  from  those  of  the  horse  in  that  the  central 
are  the  smallest  and  the  corner  the  largest.  The 
incisors  of  the  upper  jaw  are  larger  than  the  cor- 
responding teeth  of  the  lower  jaw. 

* ;'  The  fangs,  or  canine  teeth,  two  in  each  jaw 
are  very  strong,  elongated  organs,  conical  in  form, 
curved  backwards  and  outwards,  and  placed  imme- 
diately after  the  incisors.  The  upper  fangs  are  the 
thickest,  and  have  a  small  space  between  them  and 
the  corner  incisors,  in  which  the  inferior  canines  are 
lodged.  These  teeth  are  deciduous,  like  the  incisors, 
and  distinguished  from  the  replacing  ones  by  their 
being  thinner  and  more  elongated." 

The    temporary 

molars  are  fourteen  in 

number,  six  above  and 

eight   below.       They 

vary  in  size,  the  first 

being  the  smallest  and 

the    last    the    largest. 

Thev     each    have     a 
Anterior    view    of   the    canine 
and  incisor  t  eth  of  a  year-old  dog.  sharp  projecting  point 

*Chauvean. 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY-  41 

or  lobe,  which  fits  in  the  notch  between  the  lobes  of 
the  opposite  side.  The  temporary  incisors  and 
canines  all  make  their  appearance  at  from  two  to  six 
weeks. 

There  are  four  temporary  molars  on  each  side  in 
the  lower  jaw,  and  three  on  each  side  in  the  upper 
jaw.  They  are  cut  at  about  the  same  time  that  the 
incisors  and  canines  make  their  appearance.  The 
first  temporary  molar  is  the  smallest  and  they  grad- 
ually increase  in  size  as  they  proceed  backwards. 

The  replacement  of  the  temporary  or  deciduous 
molars  takes  place  in  a  manner  similar  to  that  of  the 
horse.  The  first  temporary  molars  are  replaced  by 
permanent  ones  at  five  to  six  months;  the  second  and 
third  at  about  six  months,  and  the  fourth  (lower)  a 
few  days  later. 

The  fourth  upper  molars,  and  the  fifth  lower  are 
cut  as  permanent  teeth  at  four  to  five  months ;  the 
fifth  upper  and  the  sixth  lower  as  permanent  at  five 
to  six  months ;  and  the  sixth  upper  and  seventh  lower, 
as  permanent,  at  five  and  one-half  to  six  and  one-half 
months.  The  seventh  molar  (situated  in  the  lower 
jaw),  is  sometimes  cut  much  later  and  occasionallv 
absent  altogether. 

DENTITION  OF  THE  PIG. 
Occasion  seldom  demands  that  an  operation  be 
performed  on  the  teeth  of  the  pig.     Hence,  I  pro- 
pose merely  to  make  an  allusion  to  the  form  of  denti- 


42 


VETERINARY  DENIAL  S  URGERY 


\(\. 


tion  in  that  animal  and  will   not   again  take  up  the 

subject. 

The  pig  has  forty-four  teeth  which   are   divided 

into  twelve  incisors,  four  canines,  and  twenty-eight 
molars. 

The  incisors,  six  in  each  jaw, 
exhibit  very  remarkable  differ- 
ences. The  pincers  (central)  and 
the  intermediate  (lateral)  of  the 
upper  jaw,  offer  by  their  form 
and  the  cavity  they  show  on 
their  table,  some  analogy  to 
those  of  the  horse.  In  the  lower 
jaw  these  teeth  are  straight  di- 
rected forward,  and  bear  some 
resemblance  to  the  incisors  of 
rodents.  The  corner  incisors  of 
both  jaws  are  isolated  between 
the  intermediate  (lateral)  and  ca- 
nine teeth,  and  are  not  nearlv  so 
large  as  the  other  incisors. 

The  tusks  are  very  well  de- 
veloped, particularly  in  the  male, 

and  cross  each   other  during  the 
\    I 

'  life  of  the  animal.     The  canines 

FIG>  I2  are,   as  it   were,    self -sharpeners. 

Upper  teeth  of  the  In  opening  and  closing  the  jaws 
p  i  g,    table    surface. 
Chaicveau.  they  glide    against   one    another, 


VE  TERINAR T  DENTAL  S I TRGER T. 


43?- 


and  wear  their  ends  to  a  sharp  point,  thus  making- 
very  dangerous  weapons  of  them.  Should  the  ani- 
mal be  inclined  to  make  a  detrimental  use  of  them,, 
they  may  easily  be  cut  off  with   the  tooth    shears,. 


fig.  13. 

Lower  teeth  of  the 
pig,table  surface.  Chau- 
veau. 


fig.  14. 

Lateral    view     of    the 
jaws    of     the    pig.     Chan- 


4&4  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY, 

-without    injury    to  the  animal.     It   makes  the  male 
.more  docile  to  have  them  removed. 

The  molars  are  seven  in  each  row,  and  increase 
in  size  from  the  first  to  the  last.  The  first  four  of 
each  row  are  temporary  and  are  replaced  by  per- 
manent teeth.  The  temporary  corner  incisor  teeth 
•of  the  pig  are  up  before,  or  some  days  after  birth, 
and  are  replaced  by  permanent  teeth  at  five  to  six 
weeks.  The  fourth  molar  makes  its  appearance  as  a 
temporary  tooth  at  five  to  six  months,  and  is  also 
replaced  by  a  permanent  tooth  at  two  years.  The 
fifth  appears  as  a  permanent  tooth  at  one  year;  the 
-sixth  at  one  and  one-half  to  two  years,  and  the 
•seventh  at  three  years.  The  temporary  or  milk  teeth 
of  the  pig  present  a  dental  formula  of: 

Incisors  | — |;  Canine  \ — \\  Molars  £ 
.and  the  permanent  dentition  a  formula  of. 

Incisors  | — | ;  Canine  '\ — \ ;  Molars  \ — \ 


CHAPTER  IV. 
.       ABSORPTION  OF  THE  DECIDUOUS  TEETH* 

"  The  processes  of  absorption  of  any  tissue  are  in; 
some  ways  similar  to  those  observed  in  certain  inflam- 
matory affections.  In  inflammation  of  the  hard  tissues- 
in  other  parts  of  the  body  there  is  noticed  an  action 
upon  the  bony  materials  by  which  they  are  slowly 
separated   from    the    mass    of    hard    tissue    in    their 
vicinity,  and  are  at  length  either  reduced  to  a  form 
in  which  they  may  be  taken  up  and  removed  by  the 
natural  organs  of  circulation,  or  they  may  be  removed  ■ 
in  part  by  absorption,  and  the  remainder  may  be  ex- 
truded from  the    place  it  occupied  in  the  tissues,  thus ' 
completing  the  removal  of  the  substance   from   the 
body. 

"  All  the  hard  tissues  of  the  body  are  everywhere- 
permeated  by  delicate  filaments  of  connective  tissue., 
which  carry  on  the  functions  of  nutrition  in  the  part,. 
and  are  the  means  of  preserving  its  vitality.  This  is 
true  in  the  teeth  as  well  as  in  other  forms  of  haixv 
animal  tissue,  and  may  be  traced  into  the  finer  canals 
of  the  dentine  and  has  been  thought  to  penetrate  even:* 
the  structure  of  the  enamel. 

*Blodgett. 

45 


46  VE  TERINAR 1 '  DENTAL  S  URGER  Y. 

The  process  of  absorption  of  a  temporary  tooth 
commences  at  the  apex  of  the  root  in  cementum 
which  has  heretofore  shown  no  indications  of  airy 
tendency  to  disease.  The  first  recognizable  step  in 
the  process  of  physiological  removal  of  the  primary 
teeth  is  found  in  a  roughness  of  the  cementum,  a 
corrugation  of  the  exterior  of  the  root,  with  the  solu- 
tion or  at  least  the  softening  of  the  surface  of  the 
cementum  thus  affected.  This  diminution  of  the 
firmness  of  the  dental  textures  is  then  followed  by 
the  entire  removal  of  the  tissue  at  the  root  of  the 
tooth  and  a  progressive  advance  of  the  process  of 
absorption  towards  the  mucous  membrane,  until  there 
remains  only  the  margins  of  the  gum  to  afford  attach- 
ment to  the  crown  of  the  tooth,  the  radical  .portion 
having  entirely  disappeared  from  the  jaw. 

"  The  exciting  cause  of  the  normal  absorption  of 
the  tissues  of  the  milk  tooth  is  the  approach  of  the 
secondary  or  permanent  tooth  in  the  course  of  its 
development.  The  second  tooth  growing  from  its 
papilla  in  an  upward  direction  towards  the  position 
it  is  to  occupy  in  the  alveolar  process,  comes  into  im- 
mediate proximity  with  the  root  of  the  deciduous 
tooth.  The  continued  increase  in  the  development 
of  the  secondary  tooth  is  the  cause  of  active  phe- 
nomena at  the  apex  of  the  root  of  the  deciduous 
tooth,  which  resembles  in  many  respects  those  of  a 
■'moderate  inflammation  of  the  root.     The  result  is  a 


T TE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER 1  \  47 

gradual  reduction  in  the  volume  of  the  root,  which 
is  in  an  exact  relation  to  the  advance  of  the  crown  of 
the  permanent  tooth,  so  that  at  the  time  when  the  de- 
ciduous tooth  is  ready  to  be  extruded  from  the  jaw, 
the  crown  of  the  permanent  tooth  which  is  to  suc- 
ceed it  is  often  visible  in  the  depression  left  after 
extraction  of  the  remains  of  the  milk  tooth. 

"  The  manner  in  which  the  absorption  of  the  root 
of  the  milk  tooth  is  accomplished  has  been  the  sub- 
ject of  careful  study,  and  many  theories  have  been 
advanced  to  explain  this  singular  phenomenon.  The 
most  celebrated  investigators  in  the  domain  of  dental 
science  have  given  the  subject  much  attention. 
Czermak,  Bodeker,  Tomes  and  more  recently 
Abbott  have  made  valuable  contributions  to  the 
solution  of  the  question,  which,  however,  cannot  yet 
be  said  to  be  absolutely  settled.  All  observers  unite 
in  describing  the  gradual  excavation  or  corrugation 
of  the  hard  textures  of  the  root  of  the  tooth,  very 
similar  to  the  appearances  noticed  in  the  absorption 
of  portions  of  ivory,  surgical  cat-gut,  silk,  etc.,  when 
brought  into  relation  with  the  textures  of  the  living 
and  healthy  organism.  The  substance  of  these 
materials  is  invaded  by  numerous  cavities,  in  which 
a  softened  and  jelly-like  content  is  found,  and  which 
penetrates  further  and  further  into  the  textures  of 
the  tissue.  The  advance  of  the  process  of  soften- 
ing is  followed  by  continuous  absorption  of  the  dis- 


48  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

integrated  textures  of  the  tooth,  and  in  this  way  is 
brought  about  the  removal  of  the  entire  radical 
portion  of  the  dental  structures.  There  is  no  attend- 
ing suppuration  in  the  process  of  absorption,  and 
the  entire  course  of  the  process  is  devoid  of  pain. 
There  is  often  a  certain  amount  of  redness  and 
swelling  of  the  soft  structures  about  the  neck  of  the 
deciduous  tooth  during  the  process  of  absorption, 
but  this  may  well  be  due,  in  part  at  least,  to  the  irri- 
tation of  the  tissues  about  the  part,  caused  by  pres- 
sure upon  the  shortened  and  loosened  deciduous 
tooth,  and  also  to  the  natural  tendency  to  vascularity 
accompanying  any  process  of  growth  or  develop- 
ment. 

"  The  process  of  natural  absorption  of  dentinal 
tissues  bears  no  relation  to  caries  of  these  textures. 
This  event  is  one  of  natural  removal  of  normal 
structures.  Caries  is  the  pathological  degeneration 
of  the  same  structures,  by  means  of  disease,  and  is 
accompanied,  if  not  caused  by  chemical  action  and  is 
universally  the  seat  of  disorganization  of  the  tissues 
of  the  tooth;  it  is  also  accompanied  by  the  presence 
of  bacterial  organisms,  and  usually  also  by  the  putre- 
faction of  the  products  of  the  disorganization  of  the 
tooth  substance.  Caries  takes  its  rise  at  all  times 
from  without.  Absorption  progresses  from  the  apex 
of  the  root.  Absorption  is  accompanied  by  a  new 
formation  of  medullary  or  myxomatous  tissue  which 


VETERINART DENTAL  SVRGERT.  49 

invades  the  tooth  structure  and  changes  it  into  a 
material  which  can  be  taken  up  by  the  natural  chan- 
nels of  the  part.  In  caries  the  softening  is  caused  by 
the  chemical  decomposition  of  the  calcified  tentures 
of  the  tooth-structure,  and  is  accompanied  by  putre- 
faction and  the  presence  of  micro-organisms.  In 
physiological  absorption  there  is  simple  removal  of 
the  softened  tissues  without  the  occurrence  of  putre- 
faction or  the  presence  of  micro-organisms.  Further 
researches  in  the  domain  of  absorption  of  the  hard 
tissues,  and  especially  those  of  the  deciduous  teeth, 
are  greatly  needed,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  from 
such  studies  the  obscure  points  in  relation  to  the 
physiological  removal  of  the  hard  tissues  may  be 
elucidated." 


CHAPTER  V. 

PERMANENT    DENTITION    IN   THE  HORSE   AND 
OX.     DENTITION  TABLES  OF  HORSE  AND  OX. 

The  permanent  teeth,  both  incisors  and  molars, 
are  much  larger  and  stronger  than  the  temporary. 
The  permanent  incisors  and  first  three  molars  absorb 
the  roots  of  the  temporary  until  there  is  but  a  small 
thin  shell  or  cap  remaining.  This  is  gradually 
pushed  out  and  finally  displaced  by  feeding  or  bit- 
ing on  some  hard  substance,  and  drops  out  of  the 
mouth. 

In  the  horse  the  permanent  teeth  number  forty ; 
in  the  mare,  thirty-six,  the  canine  teeth  being  usu- 
ally absent,  although  they  may  occasionally  be  found 
in  them  somewhat  rudimentary. 

Naturalists,  for  the  purpose  of  classification, 
divide  the  back  eeth  into  premolars,  those  which 
are  shed ;  and  molars,  those  which  make  their  first 
appearance  as  permanent  teeth  and  are  never  shed. 
This  division,  however,  is  not  usually  recognized  by 
veterinary  surgeons.  They  designate  the  whole 
number  of  back  teeth  as  molars.  We  occasionally 
find  supernumerary  teeth  (wolf  teeth,  Fig.  14),  sit- 
uated in  front  of  the  upper  and  lower  molars — most 
50 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 


51 


frequently  the  upper  molars.  I  have  in  two  instances 
seen  these  small  supernumerary  teeth  situated  in 
front  of  both  upper  and  lower  molars,  and  back 
of  both  upper  and  lower  incisors,  making  in  all   for- 


fig.  14. 

wolf  teeth. 

Showing  differences  in  size  and  shape. 

ty-eight  teeth  in  those  mouths,  eight  of  which  were 
rudimentary.  This  condition,  however,  I  believe  to 
be  very  rare.  The  permanent  teeth  of  the  horse 
present  a  dental  formula  of: 

Incisors  | — f  ;  Canines  \ — j  Molars  -§-;  or 
Incisors  | — f;  Canines  \ — \\  Premolars  |;  Molars  |. 
An  expert  can  readily  distinguish  between  an 
upper  and  lower  molar,  also  the  side  to  which  each 
belong.  The  lower  molars  have  one  groove  on  the 
external  lateral  surface,  running  perpendicular  to  the 
wearing  surface,  with  the  exception  of  the  sixth, 
which  has  two  grooves.  The  supero-internal  sur- 
face contains  uneven  shai'p  projections  with  well- 
marked  depressions.  The  supero-external  surface  is 
rounded  and  smooth. 


52  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

The  upper  molars  have  two  grooves  or  depres- 
sions on  the  outer  surface  instead  of  one,  the  anterior 
being  the  deeper  of  the  two.  Their  inferior  external 
edges  are  sharp  and  ragged.  The  infero-internal 
edge  is  somewhat  rounded  and  only  presents  sharp 
points  in  exceptional  cases.  The  upper  teeth  are 
much  wider  than  the  lower,  and  have  much  longer 
roots.  The  grinding  surface  of  the  lower  molars  is 
slightly  concave,  those  of  the  upper  slightly  convex, 
although  in  most  mouths  a  straight  edge  will  touch 
all  the  teeth  in  a  row  if  laid  on  their  grinding  sur- 
face. 

The  roots  of  the  upper  teeth  all  incline  slightly 
backwards.  In  the  lower  jaw  the  roots  of  the  anter- 
ior three  molars  point  slightly  forwards,  and  the 
roots  of  the  posterior  three-  point  slightly  back- 
wards, leaving  a  small  space  between  the  third  and 
fourth  molar  teeth  until  they  thoroughly  develop. 
In  some  instances  this  space  exists  throughout  life, 
affording  a  place  for  foreign  substances  and  food  to 
become  lodged. 

The  incisor  teeth  meet  edge  to  edge,  and  at  five 
to  six  years  the  bodies  are  nearly  perpendicular  to 
one  another.  As  the  horse  grows  older  they  assume 
more  of  a  horizontal  appearance  (stand  out),  until, 
in  very  old  animals  they  sometimes  have  their  inside 
surface  nearly  intact;  they,  like  the  molars,  are  the 
largest  in  the  upper  jaw. 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT.  53 

The  permanent  teeth  are  cut  in  pairs,  two  in 
either  jaw,  the  upper  teeth  preceding  the  lower  by- 
some  weeks,  with  the  exception  of  the  canine  teeth, 
which  first  show  below.  It  is  the  cutting  of  the  per- 
manent teeth  that  inconveniences  the  animal,  and 
often  symptoms  are  noticed  in  the  horse  similar  to 
those  which  occur  in  children  during  their  first  or 
temporary  dentition. 


fig.    15. 

i'  2'  3',  Incisors;  1,"  Canine;  1,-2,3,  4,  5,  6,  Molars.     «,  Posi- 
tion for  trephining  for  5  lower  molar  teeth. 

The  respective  pairs  of  incisor  teeth  are  usually 
cut  at  intervals  at  from  ten  to  fourteen  months;  that 
is,  the  lateral  incisors  are  cut  ten  to  fourteen  months 
later  than  the  central,  and  the  corner,  ten  to  fourteen 
months  later  than  the  lateral.  The  same  rule  is  not 
applicable  to  the  molars,  for  they  are  all  cut  (twen- 
ty-four), during  the  same  period  the  incisor  teeth 
(twelve),  are  cut. 


54  VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 

If  we  make  the  divisions,  premolars  (deciduous), 
and  molars,  then  the  rule  will  still  hold  good,  for  a 
pair  in  each  group  makes  its  appearance  at  the  same 
time ;  but  as  has  been  stated,  veterinarians  designate 
all  back  teeth  as  molars,  and  it  is  the  intention 
use  that  term  only  in  this  work. 

In  describing  the  periods  at  which  permanent  den- 
tition takes  place,  diagrams  will  be  used  which  rep- 
resent one-half  of  the  mouth  as  in  figure  15. 

The  incisors  being  numbered  1,  2,  3 — central,  lat- 
eral and  corner — and  the  molars  in  their  order  from 
before  backwards  1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6. 

The  dentition  of  the  colt  at  ten  months  old  is 
temporary  and  is  represented  thus: 

Incisors.  Molars. 

h  2,  3-  Ii  2,  3- 

Permanent  dentition  is  as  follows:  T,  denoting 
temporary,  and  P,  permanent  teeth. 

Incisors.  Canine.         Molars. 

i>  2,  3-  !•          h  2,  3,  4,  5,  6. 

One  year ....  T  TT  PTTPOO 

Two   years..  T   TT  PPTPOP 

Three   years. P   TT  PPPPPO 

Four  years..  P  PT  P            PPPPPP 

Five   years..  P  PP  P           PPPPPP 

At  five  years  these  teeth  are  all  up  and  in  wear; 

the  colt  then  becoming  a  horse  and  the  filly  a  mare. 

The  incisor  teeth  will  average  about  two   and  a 


VE  TERINAR  Y  DENTAL  S  URGER  T.  55 

quarter  to  two  and  one-half  inches  in  length  when 
they  are  fully  developed.  They  shorten  by  being 
worn  away  on  their  table  surfaces,  and  are  much 
wider  from  side  to  side  in  a  young  animal,  while  in 
very  old  horses  they  are  widest  from  before  back. 
The  upper  teeth  are  the  larger  and  usually  have  the 
outer  edges  of  the  corner  incisors  projecting,  so  that 
they  do  not  wear  evenly,  leaving  a  point  of  more  or 
less  length,  which  gradually  increases  with  age  until 
the  horse  is  from  fifteen  to  sixteen  years  old.  After 
this,  owing  to  the  gradual  change  in  the  position  of 
the  incisor  teeth  the  outer  edges  of  the  corner  teeth 
slowly  come  into  wear  again,  and  the  size  of  the 
projection  decreases  until,  in  very  old  horses,  it 
occasionally  entirely  disappears.  The  projection  is 
very  often  removed  by  artificial  means  without  bad 
results. 

The  molar  teeth  differ  very  materially  with  re- 
gard to  the  number  of  their  roots.  The  first  and 
sixth  molars  of  both  jaws  each  have  three  roots ;  the 
second,  third,  fourth  and  fifth  upper  molars  have 
each  four  roots,  while  the  corresponding  lower 
molars  have  only  two  roots.  They  also  differ  in 
size;  the  first  is  the  largest  and  shortest,  the  third 
the  longest  and  the  fifth  has  the  smallest  grinding 
surface. 

In  extracting  teeth  it  is  of  importance  that  the 
operator  should  know  the  direction  of  each  individ- 


56  VE  TERINAR  Y  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 

ual  tooth  while  located  in  their  alveolar  cavities,  and 
for  that  purpose  I  have  inserted  figure  15  and  figure 
32  which  were  taken  from  the  jaws  of  a  six-year-old 
horse  of  good  size.  The  following  figures  represent 
the  measurements  of  the  teeth  of  the  same  head: 
Length  of  lower  rows,  6f  inches;  upper  rows,  7^; 
distance  between  sixth  lower,  2|;  between  sixth 
upper,  3^;  distance  between  first  lower,  iT9-g-;  be- 
tween first  upper  2T1^-;  distance  between  the  fourth 
lower,  2 ;  between  the  fourth  upper,  2-|.  Length  of 
first  lower  tooth,  2^;  first  upper,  2-^;  sixth  lower,  3; 
sixth  upper,  3^;  third  lower,  4T^;  third  upper,  3^-jj-. 
The  third  tooth  in  each  jaw  was  the  longest.  The 
pulp  cavity  in  the  teeth  was  still  present,  and 
extended  about  an  inch  up  into  the  tooth,  and  was 
-^  of  an  inch  in  diameter.  Lower  tusk  from  first 
molar,  3-|;  from  third  incisor,  ^-i.  Upper  tusk  from 
first  molar,  2|-|;  from  third  incisor,  i|-.  Space  be- 
tween the  lower  corner  incisor,  from  center  to  center, 
2i;  between  the  upper,  2T5g-;  between  lower  tusks, 
2-J-g.;  between  the  upper,  2\.  The  measurements 
will  vary  with  the  size  of  the  animal. 

Prof.  Clark,  in  "Horses'  Teeth"  gives  the  follow- 
ing figures: — "Length  of  grinder  rows,  7  inches. 
Space  between  the  sixth  grinders,  upper  rows,  meas- 
uring from  the  inner  surface,  but  not  including  the 
angles,  3  inches;  center  of  rows,  2{-|;  first  grinders, 
not  including  the  space  of  the  angles,   2^.       Lower 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT.  57 

rows,  between  the  sixth  grinders,  2|;  center  of 
rows,  i-^j-;  first  grinders,  i^.  Upper  tusk  from  first 
grinder,  2-|;  from  third  incisor,  i|;  lower  tusk  from 
grinder,  3^;  from  incisor,  -|.  Space  between  the  up- 
per tusks,  2;  between  the  lower,  if.  Space  between 
the  upper  corner  incisors,  measuring  from  center  of 
teeth,  2;  lower,  i^|;  between  the  upper  dividers,  i£; 
lower,  i|." 

PERMANENT  DENTITION  OF  THE  OX. 

The  ox  has  thirty-two  permanent  teeth ;  eight  in- 
cisors, all  in  the  lower  jaw,  and  twenty-four  molars, 
twelve  in  each  jaw.  Cattle,  like  horses,  experience 
more  or  less  difficulty  while  the  process  of  the  second 
dentition  is  taking  place,  although  in  a  more  modified 
degree.  This  is  owing,  to  a  certain  extent  at  least, 
to  the  absence  of  canine  teeth,  which  are  a  source  of 
great  trouble  to  the  horse. 

The  permanent  teeth  are  much  larger  and 
stronger  than  the  temporary  ones.  The  incisors  are 
wide  and  have  a  well  marked  neck ;  as  age  increases 
and  the  wearing  continues  they  gradually  get 
shorter  and  shorter,  the  space  slowly  widens,  all 
diameters  diminish,  and  by  the  time  the  ox  is  twelve 
or  fourteen  years  old,  there  only  remains  a  stub 
whose  table  surface  is  nearly  or  entirely  round,  and 
very  short.  This  is  gradually  pushed  up  by  the  con- 
traction of  the  gums,  and,  in  very  aged  animals 
entirely  disappears,  so  that  they  become  toothless  so 


58  VE  TERINAR  7'  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 

far  as  their  incisor  teeth  are  regarded.  As  the  teeth 
become  worn  down,  the  gums  come  more  and  more 
into  wear,  and  in  a  measure  assume  the  function  of 
the  teeth.  The  ox  will  continue  to  thrive  fairly  well 
in  the  pasture  or  stable,  providing  the  molars  or 
grinders  perform  their  proper  function.  The  corner 
incisors  are  sometimes  regarded  as  the  canine  teeth, 
which,  through  the  process  of  evolution  have  grad- 
ually approached  the  incisors  until  they  at  last  rest  by 
their  side  and  present  all  the  different  characteristics 
accorded  the  other  incisor  teeth. 

There  are  very  few  cases  where  incisor  teeth  are 
developed  in  the  upper  jaws  of  cattle.  Thus  far  but 
one  recorded  case  has  come  under  my  observation, 
and  that  is  related  by  M.  Roche  Lubin,  who  says: — 
"On  the  14th  of  April,  1837,  I  was  requested  by  M. 
Bonhome,  who  lives  near  Rhodez,  to  extract  a  tooth 
which  was  growing  in  the  middle  of  the  palate  of 
his  young  bull.  The  novelty  of  the  thing  made  me 
hasten  to  comply  with  his  request.  The  animal  be- 
ing secured,  I  removed  the  tooth  in  the  usual  way. 
A  very  considerable  hemorrhage  followed  its  extrac- 
tion, which  was  performed  with  some  difficulty  on 
account  of  the  tooth  being  firmly  implanted  in  the 
palatine  arch.  It  was  situated  at  the  middle  of  the 
median  line,  and  was  precisely  of  the  same  character 
as  that  of  the  usual  incisor  tooth  of  the  ox." 

The  molar  teeth  of  the  ox,  like  those  of  the  horse, 


VE TBRINAR T  DENTAL  S  URGER Y.  59 

are  twenty-four  in  number  and  are  situated  twelve 
in  each  jaw.  When  viewed  individually  they  present 
marked  differences.  The  first  molar  tooth  in  the 
lower  jaw  is  small,  and,  with  the  exception  that  it 
has  two  roots,  very  much  resembles  a  large  remnant, 
or  wolf  tooth  of  a  horse.  The  teeth  gradually  in- 
crease in  size  from  the  first  to  the  sixth,  which  is 
about  three  and  one-half  times  wider  from  before 
back  than  the  first,  and  the  wearing  surface  five 
times  wider  from  side  to  side.  The  table  surface  of 
the  lower  molars  is  concave,  the  concavity  amount- 
ing to  one-half  inch  at  its  center.  The  teeth  of  the 
upper  jaw  are  more  even  in  size ;  the  first  being 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  width  from  before  back, 
and  one-half  inch  from  side  to  side,  while  the  sixth 
is  one  and  one-fourth  inches  from  before  back,  and 
three-fourths  inches  from  side  to  side.  Their  table 
surfaces  present  a  convexity  which  fills  up  the  con- 
cavity of  the  lower  jaw  when  the  mouth  is  closed. 

Their  wearing  surface  is  constructed  on  the  same 
principle  as  that  of  the  horse's  molars,  except  that 
the  eminences  and  depressions  are  more  acute.  There 
is  no  special  rule  that  is  applicable  to  all  the  teeth,  by 
which  the  upper  molars  of  the  ox  can  be  distin- 
guished from  the  lower;  however,  a  careful  study  of 
each  tooth  will  readily  enable  one  to  tell  to  which 
jaw  and  alveolar  cavity  it  belongs.  The  roots  of  all 
the  molar  teeth  point  slightly  backwards,  and  it  is 


60  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

owing  to  this  fact  that  they  are  more  easily  extracted 
than  the  teeth  of  the  horse.  The  lower  molars  each 
have  two  roots,  while  the  upper  have  three  roots. 

The  following  measurements  were  taken  from 
the  teeth  of  a  fair  sized  pure  bred  Holstein  cow  at 
five  years  of  age.  Length  of  lower  rows,  5^  inches ; 
upper  rows,  5T3g-;  distance  between  sixth  lower,  3^; 
between  sixth  upper,  3^;  distance  between  first 
lower,  3|-;  between  first  upper,  3;  between  third 
lower,  3^;  between  third  upper,  3J-|-  inches.  The 
incisor  teeth  gave  the  following  measurements: 
Width  of  arch,  3^  inches;  depth  of  concave  of  arch, 
•|;  length  of  protruding  portion  beyond  the  gum  of 
centrals,  -J;  length  of  central  incisor,  A-|-  inches;  of 
first  intermediate,  ^;  of  second  intermediate,  T8^;  of 
corner  TSg.  Width  of  central  incisors,  \\  inches ;  of 
first  intermediate,  -^\  of  second  intermediate,  T8¥;  of 
corner,  T87 ;  distance  between  the  first  lower  molar 
and  incisors,  \\  inches. 

The  following  formula  represents  the  age  at 
which  the  teeth  are  up  and  in  wear.  They  make  their 
first  appearance  at  from  six  to  nine  months  earlier. 

1,  2,  3,  4.  1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6. 

*First  year..T  TTT  TTTPOO 

Second  year. P   TTT  TTTPPP 

Third  year.. P  PTT  PPTPPP 

Fourth  year.P   PPT  PPPPPP 

Fifth    year..P    PPP  PPPPPP 

♦These  deductions  were  made  from  personal  observation  on  the  teeth  of 
a  pure  bred  Holstein  cow. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

DISEASES  DUE  TO  DENTITION— SYMPTOMS  AND 
TREATMENT. 

The  temporary  dentition  of  the  horse,  unlike  that 
of  children,  produces  no  serious  results.  The  tem- 
porary teeth  are  cut  and  developed  without  any  ap- 
parent change  in  the  animal  system ;  the  foal  growing' 
and  thriving  during  the  process. 

It  is  quite  different  with  the  permanent  dentition. 
The  animal  often  exhibits  the  most  distressing  symp- 
toms, losing  flesh  and  often  assuming  a  very  dejected 
appearance  which  extends  over  a  variable  period. 

The  canine  and  sixth  molar  teeth  are  the  source 
of  the  greatest  difficulty.  When  the  canine  teeth  are 
about  to  be  cut  the  gums  become  swollen,  tender  and 
painful  to  the  touch.  In  aggravated  cases  the  ani- 
mal refuses  all  solid  food  until  pressed  by  hunger, 
when  he  will  pick  it  up  and  handle  it  very  carefully, 
endeavoring  to  place  it  as  far  away  from  the  inflamed 
part  as  possible.  In  some  instances  he  will  chew  the 
food  for  a  short  time  and  then  let  it  fall  out  in  the 
manger  again.  This  condition  has  been  met  with 
on  several  occasions,  and  at  first,  I  must  say,  it  gave 
me  some  trouble  to  arrive  at  a  correct  diagnosis,  little 

61 


62  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

suspecting  that  the  trouble  was  to  be  found  in  the 
region  of  the  canine  teeth.  A  crucial  incision  with 
the  scalpel  over  the  point  of  and  down  upon  the  tooth 
is  in  most  cases  sufficient  to  cause  the  immediate  sub- 
sidence of  the  symptoms,  after  which  the  horse  will 
commence  eating,  and  rapidly  regain  his  natural 
condition. 

Cases  have  come  under  my  notice  where  the 
tumefaction  in  the  lower  jaw  seemed  to  involve  the 
incisor  teeth,  probably  due  to  the  close  proximity  of 
the  canine  teeth  in  that  jaw.  The  whole  anterior 
part  of  the  jaw  would  become  swollen  and  tumefied, 
the  lower  lip  hang  pendulous,  and  the  mouth  kept 
partially  open,  apparently  for  the  purpose  of  reliev- 
ing the  pressure  and  admitting  the  cool  air  to  the 
parts.  Febrile  symptoms  are  present  at  times,  with 
a  considerable  rise  of  temperature,  showing  more  or 
less  constitutional  disturbance;  the  febrile  symptoms 
however,  are  usually  only  local  and  confined  to  the 
parts  affected.  These  symptoms  soon  subsided  aftei 
the  canine  teeth  of  that  jaw  had  been  cut  down  upon. 

Professor  Percival  says,  (Hippopathology,  Vol. 
II,  Part  II,  p.  226): 

"  There  was  a  time  when,  I  must  confess,  I  treated 
the  subject  of  dentition  so  lightly  as  to  think  that 
horses  never  suffered  or  became  disordered  from  such 
a  cause.  Experience,  however,  has  altered  my  opin- 
ion.    I  can  now  in  practice  frequently  discover  young 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  63 

horses  with  disorder  or  febrile  irritation  upon  them, 
the  production  or  continuation  of  which  I  hesitate 
not  to  ascribe  to  teething,  and  I  find  these  views  are 
borne  out  by  the  relief  obtained  by  the  increased  atten- 
tion I  am  in  the  habit  of  giving  to  this  assumed  cause 
in  my  treatment.  In  illustration  of  this,  I  will  here 
relate  a  case  which  occurred  to  me  many  years  ago ; 
the  very  one,  in  fact,  which  proved  the  occasion  of 
my  looking  afterwards  more  closely  into  dentition. 

1  was  requested  to  give  my  opinion  concerning  a 
horse,  then  in  his  fifth  year,  who  had  fed  so  sparingly 
for  the  last  fortnight  and  so  rapidly  declined  in  con- 
dition in  consequence,  that  his  owner,  a  veterinary 
surgeon,  was  of  opinion  that  the  difficulty  or  inability 
manifested  in  mastication,  and  the  consequent  cud 
ding  arose  from  preternatural  bluntness  of  the  sur 
faces  of  the  molar  teeth,  which  were  in  consequence 
filed,  but  without  beneficial  result.  It  was  after  this 
that  I  saw  the  horse,  and  I  confess,  I  was  at  my  first 
examination  quite  as  much  at  a  loss  to  offer  any 
satisfactory  interpretation  as  others  had  been.  While 
meditating  however,  after  my  inspection,  on  the  ap- 
parently extraordinary  nature  of  the  case  it  strucK 
me  that  I  had  not  seen  any  tusks. 

I  went  back  into  the  stable  and  discovered  two 
little  tumors,  red  and  hard,  in  the  situation  of  the  in 
ferior  tusks,  which,  when  pressed   gave  the  animal 
insufferable  pain.     I  instantly  took  out  my  pocket 


64  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

knife  and  made  crucial  incisions  through  them  both, 
down  to  the  coming  teeth,  from  which  moment  the 
horse  recovered  his  appetite  and  by  degrees  his 
wonted  condition." 

He  further  says : — 

"  The  above  case  might  likewise  be  quoted  in 
illustration  of  another  fact  connected  with  this  subject, 
which  is  that  the  cutting  of  the  tusks — which  may  be 
likened  to  the  eye  teeth  of  children — costs  the  con- 
stitution more  derangement  than  the  cutting  of  all 
the  other  teeth  together;  on  which  account,  no  doubt, 
it  is  that  the  period  from  the  fourth  to  the  fifth  year 
proves  so  critical  with  the  domiciled  horse.  Any  dis- 
ease, pulmonary  in  particular,  setting  in  at  this  inter- 
val is  doubly  dangerous,  from  its  being  augmented 
or  kept  up  by  the  existing  irritation  of  teething;  in 
fact,  teething  is  one  auxiliary  cause  of  the  known 
fatality  among  horses  at  this  period  of  their  lifetime." 

The  effects  of  permanent  dentition  upon  the  con- 
stitution of  the  animal  are  many,  and  often  of  a 
severe  character.  In  fact  so  much  so  that  the  animal 
will  become  very  much  depleted  and  will  be  unable 
to  withstand  many  of  the  surrounding  conditions 
which  are  productive  of  disease.  Among  such  dis- 
eases may  be  noted  catarrhal  disorders,  cough,  swell- 
ing of  the  glands,  irritation  of  the  eyes,  eruptions  of 
the  skin,  derangement  of  the  bowels,  (constipation 
and  diarrhoea),  urinary  disturbance,  loss  of  appetite, 


VETERIN ART  DENTAL  SURGERY.  65 

(as  well  as  difficulty  in  mastication),  pharyngitis  and 
laryngitis  (sore  throat),  and  nervousness. 

These  diseases  do  not  necessarily  exist  in  all 
horses,  any  more  than  do  their  analogues  in  the 
human  subject.  Some  animals  are  very  susceptible 
to  any  change  in  the  system,  and  they  are  the  ones 
that  become  most  often  affected.  As  a  general  rule, 
well  bred  animals  are  the  most  susceptible  to  diseases 
of  any  kind. 

The  general  symptoms  which  direct  our  attention 
to  diseases  of  the  mouth,  whether  in  young  or  old 
horses,  are  discharges  of  saliva  from  the  mouth  with 
continual  slobbering ;  cudding  of  the  food ;  difficulty 
of  mastication  or  deglutition  or  of  both ;  stench  of 
buccal  secretion,  perhaps  of  breath  as  well ;  more  or 
less  discharge  from  the  eye;  more  or  less  nervous- 
ness; exhibition  of  pain  while  drinking;  constant 
motion  of  the  head  while  at  work;  failing  appetite, 
and  consequently  a  falling  off  in  condition. 

When  the  above  symptoms  are  present,  one 
should  not  fail  to  make  a  careful  examination  of  the 
mouth.  In  fact,  if  I  am  called  to  treat  a  horse  that 
is  in  his  fifth  year,  I  always  look  well  to  his  teeth, 
and  in  a  good  many  instances  I  have  been  able  to 
diagnose  the  case  without  any  further  examination. 
Mistakes  are  oftener  made  in  diagnosis  by  ignoring 
the  mouth,  than  by  placing  undue  weight  upon  a 
proper  examination  of  that  cavity.. 


ffi  VETERINAR2'  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

The  cutting  of  the  sixth  molar  is  often  preceded 
by  a  troublesome  cough.  This  cough  is  loud,  sonor- 
ous, prolonged  and  paroxysmal,  the  animal  coughing 
twenty,  thirty,  or  even  forty  times  without  stopping. 
It  is  a  throat  cough  originating  in  laryngeal  irritation, 
which  the  animal  tries  to  rid  itself  of  by  coughing. 
The  larynx  becomes  swollen  and  very  sore  in  some 
instances  from  the  transmission  of  the  irritation  from 
the  seat  of  the  tooth  to  that  organ. 

Very  often  the  horse  is  subject  to  various  modes 
of  treatment  calculated  to  relieve  the  cough,  but 
without  benefit.  This. is  not  due  in  all  cases  to  in- 
efficiency on  the  part  of  the  veterinary  surgeon  in 
charge ;  but  rather  to  carelessness  in  the  examination. 
A  case  of  this  kind  came  under  my  notice  where 
the  horse  had  been  subjected  to  treatment  for  ten 
weeks,  previous  to  my  seeing  him.  All  the  remedies 
calculated  to  relieve  a  distressing  cough,  had  in  turn 
been  administered  without  any  perceptible  benefit  to 
the  animal.  I  examined  the  mouth  and  found  the 
gums  very  much  swollen  and  tumefied  over  the  lower 
sixth  molars;  when  pressed  upon  the  horse  evinced 
the  most  excruciating  pain,  and  endeavored  to  tear 
away.  I  made  several  bold  incisions  over  each  tooth 
cutting  down  against  them.  The  animal  seemed 
much  relieved,  and  in  a  few  days  the  cough  entirely 
disappeared.  This  is  only  one  of  many  cases  of  a 
similar  nature  that  have  fallen  under  my  observation. 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  67 

The  cutting  of  the  upper  sixth  molar  frequently 
causes  slight  catarrhal  disorders.  There  will  be  a 
thin,  clear,  watery  discharge  from  one  or  both  nos- 
trils, usually  the  latter,  which  will  continue  as  long 
as  the  irritation  exists. 

It  is  at  this  age  that  "  wolf  teeth  are  so  destructive 
to  the  eyes^  It  is  a  well  known  fact  that  small 
supernumerary  teeth  (wolf  teeth  so  called),  exist  in 
most  animals  at  this  age  unless  previously  extracted. 
Their  presence  however,  has  nothing  to  do  with 
disease  of  the  eyes.  The  discharge  from  the  eyes  is 
due  to  the  eruption  of  the  last  molar,  and  usually 
subsides  when  that  tooth  is  once  through  the  gums. 

Opthalmia,  both  periodic  (moon  blindness)  and 
simple  may  result  from  teething;  bvit  in  such  cases 
we  would  suspect  an  hereditary  tendency  or  pre- 
disposition to  those  diseases,  which  only  want  a 
sufficient  stimulus  to  cause  them  to  break  out,  when 
they  will  make  their  appearance. 

The  removal  of  supernumerary  teeth  (wolf 
teeth),  lancing  the  gums  or  withdrawing  any  teeth, 
acts  as  a  counter  irritant,  and  may  possibly  be  followed 
by  the  remission  of  some  of  the  opthalmic  symptoms. 
An  incision  or  a  blister  below  the  eye  often  will  pro- 
duce the  same  result,  so  also  will  bleeding  from  the 
angular  vein.  Wolf  teeth  can  never  be  looked  upon 
as  the  source  of  serious  disease  of  the  eyes.  If 
their  removal  is  desired,  it  should  be  accomplished 


68 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 


by  use  of  the  elevator,  or  wolf  teeth  forceps,  Fig. 
16-17.  Punching  them  out  merely  breaks  them  off, 
and  at  most  is  a  cruel  practice,  not  worthy  of  a 
moment's  consideration.  Some  horses  are  very  nerv- 
ous at  this  time,  throwing  up  the  head  every  few 
moments  while  in  harness.  The  nervousness  usually 
passes  away  as  soon  as  the  teeth  become  fully  de- 
veloped. 


fig.  17. 
curved  and  straight  wolf  tooth  forceps. 

In  regard  to  dentition  fever  Hutrel  D'Arboval 
says: 

"  A  sort  of  local  fever  originates  in  the  alveolar 
cavities,  running  high  or  low  according  to  the  resist- 
ance the  teeth  encounter  from  the  hardness  of  the 
jaws,  or  their  own  disproportionate  size  and  solidity. 
The  gums  become  stretched  from  the  pressure  of  the 
teeth  against  them;  they  dilate,  sometimes  split;  at 
the  same  time  they  are  red,  painful,  and  hot,  even  to 


VE  TERINAR  7'  DENTAL  S  URGER  2 '.  69 

a  sense  of  burning.  Internally,  the  roots  of  the  teeth 
from  shooting  downwards  compress  the  dental 
nerves,  and  painfully  drag  the  periosteal  linings  of 
the  alveolar  cavities.  These  combined  causes  will 
sufficiently  account  for  the  local  irritation  and  suf- 
fering accompanying  teething,  and  enable  us  to  ex- 
plain many  morbid  phenomena  we  find  appearing  in 
horses  about,  this  time  from  various  circumstances, 
the  most  critical  period  of  their  lives." 

Horses  from  four  to  five  years  old  are  more  sub- 
ject to  this  species  of  dental  irritation  than  those 
younger,  and  it  is  well  known  among  horsemen  that 
they  will  stand  more  fatigue  at  a  younger  age  than 
they  will  at  this.  It  is  a  common  expression  that  "I 
had  rather  work  a  three  than  a  four  year  old  horse; 
they  will  stand  more." 

If  the  temporary  teeth  seem  to  hinder  the  erup- 
tion of  their  successors,  they  are  to  be  removed. 
Care,  however,  should  be  exercised  in  removing  tem- 
porary teeth.  It  should  be  evident,  beyond  doubt, 
that  they  are  causing  trouble  and  are  retarding  the 
growth  of  the  permanent  teeth  that  succeed  them. 
It  is  said  that  the  temporary  tooth,  in  becoming  ab- 
sorbed, furnished  cement  for  the  permanent  teeth. 
Clarke  says,  ("Horses'  Teeth,"  p.  48): 

"It  naturally  follows  that  much  of  the  cement 
surrounding  the  crowns  of  the  permanent  teeth,  is 
derived  from  them  (temporary  teeth),  thus  lessening 


70  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

the  drain  on  the  permanent  tooth  pulps,  which  are 
all  the  better  able  to  supply  cement  for  the  roots  of 
the  permanent  teeth.  The  scarcity  of  cement  on  the 
crowns  of  milk  teeth  is  probably  owing  to  the  fact 
that  they  had  no  cement  to  absorb.  The  evil  of  ex- 
tracting healthy  milk  teeth  is  obvious."  The  ele- 
vator is  a  very  handy  instrument  for  removing  the 
caps  or  deciduous  molars  when  they  once  become 
loosened.  Just  insert  the  bent  portion  between  the 
cap  and  permanent  tooth  and  by  giving  it  a  sudden 
twist  the  separation  is  easily  effected. 

The  practice  of  extracting  incisor  teeth  is  some- 
times resorted  to  by  unscrupulous  dealers  who  wish 
to  make  their  horses  appear  older  than  they  really 
are.  After  the  teeth  have  been  extracted  the  mouth 
has  somewhat  the  appearance  of  having  shed  those 
teeth  in  the  natural  way.  This  deception  when  prac- 
ticed, is  easily  detected  by  any  one  who  is  acquainted 
with  the  mouth  in  its  natural  condition.  Unless  the 
temporary  tooth  has  been  removed  by  artificial  means, 
the  permanent  will  make  its  appearance  before  it  (the 
temporary)  is  shed. 

Cattle  frequently  suffer  from  the  cutting  of  the 
teeth,  as  well  as  the  horse.  There  will  be  loss  of 
appetite,  redness  and  heat  of  the  mouth,  the  gums 
will  become  swollen,  tumefied  and  very  painful  to 
the  touch ;  the  head  hangs  down  and  there  will  be  a 
discharge  from  the  eyes  and  nose,  with  alternate  con- 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT.  71 

stipation  and  diarrhoea.  The  cough  is  not  so  severe 
as  in  the  horse,  but  such  as  would  lead  the  casual 
observer  to  think  the  animal  was  suffering  from  a 
slight  cold  or  bronchitis.  The  animal  will  often  stand 
away  from  the  rest  and  appear  more  or  less  dejected. 

Speaking  of  diseases  occurring  during  dentition, 
Professor  Williams  says  :  "  In  young  cattle,  ranging 
from  two  years  old  and  upwards,  the  cutting  of  the 
permanent  molar  teeth  is  occasionally  a  matter  of 
some  difficulty,  owing  to  the  unshed  crowns  of  the 
temporary  ones  becoming  entangled  in  the  new  teeth, 
proving  a  source  of  irritation,  and  preventing  the 
animal  from  feeding.  In  some  parts  of  the  country 
such  animals  are  called  'rotten'  from  their  emaciated 
condition,  and  perhaps  from  the  odor  emanating 
from  the  mouth,  arising  from  the  imprisoned  and 
decomposing  food." 

"When  an  animal  of  this  age  is  seen  to  stop  feed- 
ing, to  lose  condition,  or  to  drivel  from  the  mouth,  it 
is  necessary  that  the  mouth  be  duly  examined,  and, 
if  the  unshed  teeth  are  the  source  of  irritation,  they 
ought  to  be  at  once  removed.  Many  hundreds  of 
young  cattle  have  been  sacrificed  from  this  cause; 
when  a  proper  examination  has  not  been  made,  they 
have  actually  died  in  the  midst  of  plentv."' 

Dogs  and  sheep  frequently  suffer  from  the  same 
disorders  and  present  similar  symptoms,  which  when 
found  to  be  present  should  receive  prompt  attention. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

CARIES   OF  THE  TEETH. 

Forms,  Causes,  Symptoms,  Results  and  Treatment. 

Caries  of  the  teeth  of  the  domestic  animals  is  of 
frequent  occurrence  and  so  rapid  is  its  progress 
that  the  whole  tooth  or  even  adjacent  teeth  become 
involved  before  its  existence  is  noticed.  Occasional 
cases  however,  produce  marked  symptoms  at  the 
outset,  even  before  the  roughness  which  it  produces 
can  be  detected  by  the  most  delicate  touch.  No 
part  of  the  tooth  is  exempt  from  this  disease.  It 
may  attack  the  external  surface  of  the  crown,  neck 
or  root,  or  it  may  begin  in  the  center  of  the  tooth 
around  the  pulp  cavity  and  gradually  extend  out- 
ward. Yet  there  are  places  which  are  more  liable  to 
attack  than  others.  The  depressions  on  the  grind- 
ing surfaces  of  the  molars  and  the  neck  on  the  side 
opposite  an  adjoining  tooth;  the  latter  no  doubt 
being  due  to  an  accumulation  of  food  between  the 
teeth. 

The  molars  are  the  teeth  usually  affected,  the 
incisors  rarely,  and  the  canines  practically  never 
suffer  from  this  affection.  In  no  instance  has  there 
been  brought    to    my  notice  a  case  of  carious  canine 

72 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGER2' 


73 


teeth  in  the  living  animal,  although  I  have    seen   its 
effects  on  those  teeth  in  one  skeleton. 


^Stei 


FIG.    l8. 
FIRST  LOWER  MOLAR  SHOW- 
ING   EFFECTS    OF     CARIES. 

a.  Wire  passing  through 
cavity  of  tooth,  b.  Removal 
of  dentine,  the  result  of  car- 
ies, c.  Inferior  opening  of  a. 
Fig.  20.  d.  Caries  of  the 
fang. 


FIG.  19. 

SAME   TOOTH    OPPOSITE 

SIDE. 

a.  Wire  drawn  through 
cavity  extending  to  b.  c. 
Continuation  of  same  cav- 
ity. 


The    attack    and    progress 

of  cai-ies  are  much  modified  by 

the  constitution   of    the    teeth. 

These  may  be  defective  either 

originally   or  accidentally. 

Original  defectiveness  extends 

to  all  the  teeth    of   the   same 

fig.  20.  individual,    due    to  a  constitu- 

nSSSEJS -^ttond     predisposition,     whilst 

ures  18  and  19.  accidental  defectiveness    exists 

«,  b,  Opening  of  cavi-  .i_  • 

ties  on  table  surface.        only  as  to  some  ot  the  teeth  in 


74  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

the  same  mouth,  and  in  many  instances  these  only 
at  particular  points.  Such  conditions  are  peculiarly 
favorable  for  the  attack  of  caries.  When  the 
whole  crown  of  the  tooth  is  imperfectly  organized, 
the  decay  will  progress  with  uniform  rapidity  under 
the  influence  of  uniformly  persistent  agents  till  the 
whole  is  destroyed.  But  when  it  is  only  a  portion 
of  the  tooth,  the  caries  may  after  a  time  become 
retarded  in  its  progress,  and  in  some  cases  checked 
altogether. 

By  making  an  examination  of  the  teeth  of  a 
large  number  of  horses  which  were  destroyed  for 
dissection,  the  latter  condition  referred  to  was  fre- 
quently found  present.  In  some  subjects  teeth  were 
found  with  a  central  depression  on  the  table  surface, 
which  extended  to  a  variable  depth  and  to  all  ap- 
pearances were  perfectly  free  from  any  carious 
particles.  In  others  small  specks  of  decayed,  earthy 
material  were  noticed  on  the  sides  of  the  cavities 
while  the  bottom  of  them  was  perfectly  sound. 
Every  gradation  from  a  perfectly  healthy  to  a 
completely    diseased  cavity  has  been  noticed. 

In  examining  the  teeth  of  living  animals  I  have 
often    found  the  same  condition  present. 

Among  the  many  circumstances  -which  modify 
the  progress  of  this  disease,  are  a  change  in  the 
character  of  the  agencies  producing  it,  as  well  as  an 
increase  or  diminution  of    the  amount  of    such  asren- 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  75 

cies.  The  mutability  of  these  agencies  are  almost 
infinite,  being  constantly  modified  by  various  exter- 
nal and  internal  causes  ever  present. 

The  progress  of  caries  will  also  be  governed  some- 
what by  the  age  of  the  animal  whose  teeth  it 
attacks,  the  nature  of  the  food,  as  well  as  the  con- 
stitution of  the  teeth  themselves.  The  normal  con- 
stituents of  the  teeth  present  almost  an  infinite 
variety  of  relative  proportions,  even  in  animals  of 
the  same  age,  and  continually  varying  at  different 
ages.  As  age  progresses  the  teeth  like  the  bones 
are  constantly  undergoing  a  change;  the  earthy 
elements  increasing  and  the  animal  decreasing. 
This  condition  arises  from  defective  organizing  pow- 
er or  from  a  failure  in  the  arrangement  and  com- 
bination of  materials  and  is  entirely  dependent  upon 
accidental  causes. 

The  greater  the  nutritive  supply  of  a  tooth  the 
less  liability  will  there  be  to  caries,  hence  dimin- 
ished nutrition  increases  the  liability  of  caries;  in 
old  animals  and  especially  horses,  the  teeth  receive 
but  little  nourishment,  so  that  in  them  we  oftener 
find  decayed  teeth  than  in  young  animals. 

The  decayed  portion  of  the  tooth  varies  in  color 
according  to  the  hardness  of  the  teeth.  In  some  it 
is  black,  in  others  brown,,  while  in  some  it  is  nearly 
white,  varying  but  little  from  the  natural  color  of 
the  tooth.     There  are  no  doubt  other    circumstances 


76  VE  TERINAR  T  DENT  A  L  S  URGER  T. 

which  influence  the  color  of  the  decayed  part,  but 
just  what  they  are  is  not  easy  to  determine. 

The  study  and  investigation  of  the  phenomena 
attending  caries  of  the  teeth  of  domestic  animals,  is 
a  difficult  problem  and  one  not  easily  solved.  Pro- 
fessor Williams  says:  "Caries,  dental  gangrene  or  de- 
cay, is  almost  exclusively  confined  to  the  molar  teeth, 
although      I  have  seen  the  incisors  in  that  condition. 

*Caries  of  the  molars  may  commence  primarily 
with  the  fang,  neck  or  crown  of  the  tooth. 

"Caries  of  the  fang  arises  from  inflammation  of  the 
pulp,  and  may  be  caused  by  a  constitutional  predis- 
position or  external  injury.  Inflammation  of  the  pulp 
■does  not  always  cause  caries.  I  have  seen  several 
cases  on  record  where  the  fangs  were  enlarged  from 
a  periodental  deposit,  with  abcesses  surrounding 
the  fangs  without  caries.  Caries  commencing  at  the 
fang  may  be  due  to  obliteration  of  the  pulp  cavity 
at  an  age  when  the  vitality  of  the  tooth  depends 
upon  the  integrity  of  the  pulp.  I  need  scarcely  re- 
mind the  professional  readers  that  the  integrity 
of  the  teeth  depends  upon  due  supply  both  as  to 
quantity  and  quality  of  nutritive  materials.  On  the 
fangs  of  the  recently  cut  tooth  but  little  crusta-pe- 
trosa  is  met  with,  compared  with  that  which  exists 
in  old  teeth.  As  age  advances  the  crusta  increases 
and  the  tooth  grows  from  the  outside. 

*  Williams. 


VE  TERINAR1 '  DENTAL  S  URGER 1 ".  77 

In  proportion  as  the  pulp  diminishes,  so  is  the 
supply  of  nutriment  to  the  tooth  lessened,  until  at 
length  it  is  entirely  cut  off  from  the  interior;  and  to 
provide  for  the  vitality  of  the  tooth  under  these 
circumstances,  the  crusta-petrosa  increases  in  quan- 
tity on  the  fang  and  at  the  expense  of  the  perfectly 
formed  dentine  lying  in  immediate  contact  with  its 
inner  surface.  That  is  to  say,  this  layer  of  dentine  is 
converted  into  crusta-petrosa  by  the  dental  lacunas 
undergoing  dilatation  and  becoming  identical  with  the 
hollow  spaces  or  cells  of  the  crusta.  The  tooth  now 
draws  its  nourishment  from  the  blood  vessels  of  the 
socket,  and  thus  it  continues  long  after  the  oblitera- 
tion of  its  pulp  cavity,  to  serve  all  purposes  as  a  part 
of  the  living  organism.  This  is  the  natural  con- 
dition of  old  teeth;  but  when  the  pulp  cavity  is  ob- 
literated at  an  early  age  by  a  too  rapid  formation  of 
dentine,  and  consequent  obliteration  of  the  pulp, 
when  the  crusta  is  not  yet  sufficiently  developed  to 
supply  nourishment  to  the  whole  tooth,  caries  must 
be  the  result. 

Many  cases  of  caries  of  the  teeth  that  have  come 
under  my  observation,  have  resulted  from  the  above 
cause  and  very  often  the  disease  is  confined  to  that 
part  of  the  crusta-petrosa  that  dips  with  the  enamel 
into  the  interior  of  the  tooth,  splitting  up  the  tooth 
into  several  perpendicular  fragments  from  crown  to 
fang. 


78 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 


FIG.    20. 
GENERAL  CARIES  OF  A 


Caries  of  the  neck  (cervix) 
of  the  tooth  is  seen  in  those 
horses  whose  teeth  are  wide 
apart,  and  is  caused  by  the  food 
remaining  in  the  interspaces  and 
by  decomposition  exciting  in- 
flammation in  the  periodental 
membrane. 

Caries    commencing     at    the 
crown    or   table,  is  due   to  a  por- 
tion of  the  dentine  losing  its  vital- 
ity,  and  the  power   of  resisting 
tooth.  the  chemical   action  of   the  fluids 

of  the  mouth ;  a  portion  of  the  enamel  of  the  crown 
may  be  fractured  by  the  animal  accidentally  biting  a 
piece  of  hard  stone  or  metal  contained  in  his  food. 
Mere  fracture  of  the  enamel  is  not  sufficient  of  itself 
to  lead  to  caries  of  the  teeth  of  the  lower  animals, 
foi  it  is  a  substance  that  is  gradually  worn  off  by  the 
attrtion  of  the  teeth  continually  going  on  during 
mastication;  but  the  pressure  which  has  been  suf- 
ficiently great  to  cause  fracture  of  the  enamel,  may 
at  the  same  time  have  caused  such  an  amount  of 
injury  to  the  subjacent  dentine,  that  it  dies  and  pro- 
gressively becomes  decomposed. 

Symptoms. — There  will  be  quidding  of  the  food, 
in  some  instances  the  animal  will  pick  up  the  hay, 
chew  it  until  it  is   formed    into   a  bolus    thoroughly 


VETERINARY  DEXTAL  SURGERY.  79 

mixed  with  saliva,  then  let  it  fall  into  the  manger. 
I  saw  one  case  where  the  manger  and  floor  of  a  box 
stall  was  literally  covered  in  the  morning  with 
boluses  of  partially  masticated  hay.  It  gave  off  a 
very  offensive  odor,  which  was  due  to  decomposition 
of  the  saliva  and  food.  Some  animals  will  hold  their 
head  to  one  side,  in  order  to  keep  the  feed  from  get- 
ting between  the  diseased  teeth,  will  chew  naturally 
for  a  time,  then  quit  suddenly,  drop  the  feed,  and 
perhaps  rest  the  affected  side  of  the  head  against  the 
manger  or  side  of  the  stall.  A  foul  odor  will  also 
emanate  from  the  mouth  in  many  instances.  If  in 
the  lower  jaw  there  may  be  external  swelling,  with 
a  fistulous  opening  after  a  time,  opposite  the  diseased 
tooth ;  if  in  the  upper  jaw,  there  may  be  a  discharge 
from  one  or  both  nostrils  (from  one  side  only  if  there 
are  carious  teeth  on  one  side,  and  from  both  sides  if 
there  are  carious  teeth  on  both  sides)  with  more  or  less 
bulging  of  the  sinuses,  which  upon  percussion  will 
give  a  dull  sound.  Tapping  the  tooth  gives  intense 
pain  in  many  instances.  The  mouth  internally  will 
be  more  or  less  swollen,  red,  hot,  tender  and  painful, 
while  a  tumor  of  considerable  size  may  be  seen  or 
felt  with  the  hand  in  the  region  of  the  diseased  tooth. 
On  making  an  examination  of  the  tooth  there 
will,  in  the  majority  of  cases,  be  found  a  cavity  of 
greater  or  less  extent.  The  whole  tooth  may  have 
decayed  leaving  only  the  roots.     In  others  one  side 


80  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

may  have  decayed  away,  leaving  the  remainder  of 
the  tooth  thin  and  sharp,  which  in  some  instances 
leads  to  laceration  of  the  tongue,  if  the  inside  of  the 
tooth  remains,  and  laceration  of  the  cheeks  if  the 
outside  remains.  In  other  cases  the  tooth  may  be 
only  slightly  roughened  where  there  will  be  a  ten- 
dency to  the  accumulation  of  tartar.  There  will  be 
more  or  less  accumulation  of  food  .in  the  cavity, 
which  when  removed  will  give  off  a  very  offensive 
and  disagreeable  odor,  giving  rise  to  the  popular 
term,  "rotten  teeth." 

EFFECTS  OF  CARIES. 
The  effects  of  caries  vary,  but  chief  among 
them,  is  death  of  the  tooth  and  its  subsequent  re- 
moval. If  caries  of  the  teeth  exists  in  a  young  animal 
exposure  of  the  pulp  first  takes  place  and  there  occurs 
that  peculiar  and  well  known  sensation,  so  dreaded 
by  the  human  family,  toothache.  Inflammation  and 
suppuration  follow,  by  which  a  discharge  is  estab- 
lished from  between  the  margin  of  the  gum  and 
tooth,  or  a  fistulous  opening  is  formed.  If  the  cari- 
ous tooth  is  an  upper  one,  and  the  third,  fourth,  fifth 
or  sixth,  this  fistula  communicates  with  the  sinus 
opposite,  but  if  the  first  and  second,  it  communicates 
directly  with  the  nasal  cavities,  and  if  the  tooth  is 
located  in  the  lower  jaw  the  fistula  usually  opens  on 
the  lower  margin  of  the  inferior  maxilla,  opposite 
the  root  of  the  affected  tooth. 


VE TERINAR T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T.  8  L 

Caries  of  the  third  upper  molars  is  frequently 
the  source  of  excessive  pain,  and  is  to  be  very  much 
dreaded.  It  is  more  sensitive  when  diseased  than 
any  other  tooth,  from  the  fact  that  the  maxillary 
branch  of  the  fifth  pair  of  nerves  make  their  exit 
upon  the  face  through  a  foramen,  which  is  located 
directly  over  the  root  of  this  tooth.  This  fact  must 
not  be  lost  sight  of  in  trephining  for  its  removal; 
for,  should  this  nerve  be  injured  in  any  manner 
during  the  operation,  the  animal  will  suffer  greatly 
and  become  unmanageable  for  further  operation 
unless  it  be  cast  and  secured. 

The  fourth,  fifth  and  sixth  molar  teeth  of  the 
upper  jaw  are  situated  directly  below  the  large 
maxillary  sinus,  from  which  they  are  separated  by  a 
thin  plate  of  bone.  They  communicate  with  the 
sinus  as  easily  as  do  the  first  and  second  with  the 
nose ;  but  lead  to  far  different  results. 

When  inflammation  or  caries  is  sufficient  to  destroy 
this  thin  plate  of  bone,  the  pus  which  is  formed 
passes  into  the  sinus,  sometimes  particles  of  food 
accompanying  it.  By  its  presence  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  the  sinus  becomes  irritated  and  will  either 
slough  or  become  thickened,  developing  large  eleva- 
tions of  the  nature  of  polypi;  or  they  may  form 
osseous  tumors.  Both  forms  by  addition  attain  suffi- 
cient volume  to  fill  the  sinuses  and  cause  a  bulging 
of  the  facial  bones.     The  pus   all   this  time  is  very 


82  VE  TERINAR 1 '  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 

abundant,  the  more  liquid  portion  passing  out 
through  the  openings  connecting  the  sinuses  with 
the  nasal  chambers,  while  the  thicker  portion  remains 
in  the  cavity.  It  gradually  undergoes  a  transforma- 
tion becoming  thick  and  greasy  looking,  with  a  very 
offensive  odor. 

Should  the  above  condition  be  present  in  a  young 
animal,  before  the  facial  bones  have  become  firmly 
united  or  grown  together,  the  pressure  exerted  by 
the  enclosed  pus  may  be  sufficient  to  force  them 
apart,  destroy  the  skin,  escape  through  the  fissures 
and  pass  down  over  the  face.  This  condition  does 
not  often  occur,  yet  I  have  noticed  it  on  several 
occasions. 

November  2d,  1888,  Mr.  N.  Boyles,  of  Richland, 
Mich.,  brought  to  the  infirmary  a  bay  gelding 
twelve  years  old,  suffering  from  a  distension  with 
pus,  of  the  frontal  and  maxillary  sinuses.  There 
was  a  copious  discharge  of  fetid  pus  from  both 
nostrils  as  well  as  from  an  external  opening  which 
had  formed  just  below  the  eye.  The  molar  and 
lachrymal  bones  had  had  their  articular  surfaces 
separated  allowing  free  exit  for  the  pus. 

The  sides  of  the  face  presented  a  very  disgusting 
appearance  not  unlike  that  usually  noticed  in  severe 
cases  of  poll-evil  and  fistulous  withers. 

The  diseased  bone  was  removed,  exposing  the 
frontal  sinus;  the  fingers   and  bone   cutting  forceps 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  83 

being  used  for  that  purpose.  Both  right  and  left 
maxillary  sinuses  were  then  trephined  and  thoroughly 
cleansed  by  turning  the  hose  into  them.  After 
removing  all  the  pus  the  sinuses  were  treated  with 
injections  of  carbolized  water  containing  a  small 
amount  of  common  salt.  These  dressings  were 
repeated  daily  for  six  weeks,  at  which  time  the, 
horse  was  sent  home  much  improved.  The  im- 
provement continued  until  complete  recovery  took 
place. 

This  horse  had  a  carious  tooth  extracted  the 
previous  September  and  was  at  that  time  also  suffer- 
ing from  a  discharge  from  the  nostrils.  Had  the 
sinuses  at  that  time  been  trephined  so  as  to  allow 
the  pus  to  escape,  the  latter  trouble  would  undoubt- 
edly have  been  avoided. 

If  there  is  a  fetid  discharge  from  the  nostril,  due 
to  a  carious  tooth,  it  is  always  advisable  to  trephine 
the  sinus  at  the  lower  border,  and  as  nearly  opposite 
the  diseased  tooth  as  possible.  The  sinus  should 
then  be  cleansed  and  afterward  dressed  with  carbol- 
ized water,  one  part  of  the  acid  to  thirty  or  forty  of 
soft  water. 

Dr.  Sayre,  a  celebrated  veterinary  dentist  of 
Chicago,  and  who  has  had  much  experience  in  oper- 
ating on  carious  teeth  says :  "  I  always  trephine  if 
there  is  a  fetid  discharge  from  the  nostrils,  due  to 
carious    teeth   producing    ulceration   of    the  sinuses. 


84  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

even  if  I  first    extract   the  diseased  teeth   with   the 
forceps." 

Tumors  may  make  their  appearance  on  the  gums 
or  exostoses  on  the  roots,  as  a  result  of  decayed 
teeth.  A  diseased  condition  of  the  alveolar  process 
is  occasionally  produced  by  dead  or  carious  teeth,  as 
also  in  extensive  caries  of  the  jaw  bone.  Inflamma- 
tion of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth  (some- 
times giving  rise  to  the  condition  termed  Lampas), 
is  an  exceedingly  common  result  of  diseased  teeth. 
This  inflammation  may  become  very  extensive  in- 
volving the  whole  membrane  of  the  mouth,  ex- 
tending to  the  throat,  where  it  causes  an  irritable  con- 
dition giving  rise  to  a  more  or  less  troublesome 
cough. 

Just  how  far  this  inflammation  may  extend  is  diffi- 
cult to  say,  for  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth, 
nasal  chambers,  sinuses,  pharynx,  larynx,  oesophagus 
and  bronchial  tubes  are  continuous,  without  any 
definite  line  of  demarcation.  It  does  not  seem  prob- 
able that  a  number  of  diseased  teeth  involving  in 
their  disease  (especially  in  young  animals),  all  the 
ramifications  of  the  facial  nerves,  and  the  whole 
mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth,  could  remain  for 
any  considerable  period  without  producing  grave 
results. 

Indigestion  in  the  chronic  and   even  acute  forms 
is    frequently     associated    with     carious    teeth     and 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  85 

is  due  to  imperfect  mastication  of  the  food.  A  very- 
offensive  and  disagreeable  odor  is  also  emitted  from 
the  mouth,  especially  if  the  carious  condition  is  far 
advanced. 

Young  animals  affected  with  carious  teeth  yield 
more  readily  to  its  effects  and  sooner  become  emaci- 
ated than  older  animals  similarly  affected. 

Figure  21  represents  caries  of  the 
right  lower  corner  incisor  of  a  gray 
mare  six  years  old.  The  correspond- 
ing temporary  tooth  was  not  shed  in 
the  natural  manner.  It  remained  in 
position  until  the  mare  was  past  five 

vears  of  agfe,  and  was  then  removed 
fig.  21.  y  fe   ' 

'  External  sur-  with  the  forceps,  but    not  until  par- 

™  cok.S Z:  t-%  displaced  by  the  tooth  repre- 
cisor  tooth.  sented    in   Fig.    21.     After   the   re- 

moval of  the  temporaiy  tooth,  the  gums  about  the 
wound  began  to  tumefy,  and  became  very  tender  to 
the  touch,  so  much  so  that  it  materially  interfered 
with  mastication.  As  a  result  the  animal  fell  away 
in  flesh  and  presented  a  rather  dejected  appearance. 
About  six  months  after  the  first  operation  the  gums 
were  lanced  and  the  tooth  illustrated  extracted, 
affording  marked  relief,  the  gums  in  a  short  time 
assuming  a  natural  condition.  This  tooth  being  a 
permanent  one  has  never  been  replaced  by  an- 
other. 


86 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY 


A    LONGITUDINAL     FISSURE 
THE  RESULT  OF  CARIES. 


Fig.  22  is  a  drawing 
made  from  a  tooth  which 
represents  a  very  common 
form  of  caries.  A  fissure 
(a)  in  the  crown  extending 
from  the  interior  to  the  pos- 
terior edge  of  the  tooth, 
dividing  it  into  nearly  equal 
parts,  extends  down  the  side 
(<$)  to  the  root.  This  is  a 
very  common  form  of 
caries,  and  usually  termi- 
nates in  longitudinal  fracture  of  the  tooth  from  the 
crown  to  the  root.  The  fracture  is  the  result  of 
food  collecting  in  the  wedge-like  groove  and  forcing 
it  apart.  Feed  will  accumulate  in  the  fissure  often 
giving  a  round  bulging  appearance  to  the  cheek, 
which  subsides  as  soon  as  the  accumulation  is  arti- 
ficially removed.  Should  the  round,  bulging  appear- 
ance be  due  to  paralysis  of  the  muscles  of  the  cheek, 
it  will  remain  more  or  less  pendulous  after  the  feed 
has  been  taken  away. 

The  fourth  molars  are  more  liable  to  caries  than 
any  of  the  other  teeth.  This  is  due  no  doubt  to  the 
fact  that  they  are  the  first  permanent  teeth  to  make 
their  appearance,  consequently  they  are  less  devel- 
oped than  those  which  appear  later  in  life.  Being 
the  first  permanent  teeth  erupted   they  are  subjected 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 


87 


to  all    the    irritating    influences    attendant  upon  the 

removal  of  the  temporary,  and   the    appearance  and 

development  of  the  permanent  teeth.     There  also  is 

usually  a  space  of  greater  or  less  width  between  the 

third    (temporary)     and    fourth     molars,    affording 

lodgment  for  foreign  substances. 

TREATMENT. 

If  the  disease  exists  to  any  considerable  extent    it 

will  be  necessary  to  effect  the  removal  of  the  affected 

fig.  25. 


EXTRACTING    FORCEPS    (SIDE  VIEW.) 


teeth.  If  the  disease  is  limited  and  the  cavity  small, 
the  tooth  may  be  filled,  if  located  so  that  it  is  acces- 
sible. The  incisors,  canine  and  first  three  molars, 
can  usually  be  reached  with  sufficient  ease  to  effect  a 
filling  of  the  cavity.  The  subject  of  filling  will  be 
treated  in  a  separate  chapter. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
DENUDING  OF  THE  TEETH. 

This  is  an  affectation  which  rarely  attacks  the 
teeth  of  the  horse,  though  quite  frequently  affecting 
the  teeth  of  the  human  family.  It  consists  in  a 
gradual  wasting  away  of  the  enamel  and  underlying 
dentine  on  the  external  or  labial  surfaces  of  the  inci- 
sor teeth,  first  attacking  the  central,  then  the  lateral, 
and  finally  the  corners.  It  begins  nearest  the  table 
surface  and  forms  a  horizontal  groove,  which  is  very 
regular  and  smoothly  constructed.  After  the  enamel 
has  been  removed  and  the  dentine  exposed  it  rapidly 
continues  its  inroads  upon  that  tissue.  So  rapid  is 
this  destruction  of  the  dentine  that  it  sometimes 
undermines  the  enamel  to  such  an  extent  that  it  is 
broken  off  in  shell-like  pieces.  The  dentine  assumes 
a  brownish  or  grayish  color  with  disintegration  of 
its  structure. 

The  process  of  this  affection  is  exceedingly  vari- 
able, sometimes  so  rapid  that  the  dentine  becomes 
exposed  in  a  few  months,  while  at  other  times  its 
progress  is  very  slow,  requiring  a  number  of  months 
or  years  to  remove  the  enamel.  In  all  cases  it  is 
much  more  rapid  in  the  horse  than  in  the  human 
88 


VE  TERINAR  Y  DEN  TAL  S  UR GER  T. 


89 


family,  where  the  process  of  denudation  is  so  slow 
that  it  often  takes  from  ten  to  twenty  years  to  accom- 
plish the  same  result.  It  usually  makes  its  appear- 
ance at  the  approximal  corners  on  the  latial  surfaces 
of  the  central  incisors.  From  here  it  gradually 
involves  the  whole  labial  surface  of  the  tooth,  after 
a  time  implicating  the  lateral  incisors,  which  also  at 
first  become  affected  on  their  labial  surfaces  where 
they  approximate  the  central  pair  of  teeth.     Unless 


FIG.    23. 
DENUDING   OF   THE   CENTRAL    AND    LATERAL    INCISORS. 

,the  progress  of  the  disease  is  checked  or  entirely 
impeded  in  its  progress,  it  will  gradually  extend  until 
it  involves  all  the  incisors  of  that  jaw.  As  far  as  my 
observation  and  knowledge  of  this  disease  extends,  I 
can  not  say  that  any  other  teeth  than  the  upper  inci- 
sors ever  become  affected.  I  see  no  reason  however, 
why  they  should  remain  immured  from  an  attack  of 
this  disease,  unless  its  cause  can  be  attributed  to  the 
acidity  of  the  buccal  secretions  of  the  mouth. 

On  June  23,  1889,  Mr.  Shattuck,  of  Covert,  Michi- 


90  VE  TERINA R  Y  DENTAL  SURGER  Y. 

gan,  offered  a  mare  four  years  old  for  operation,  pre- 
senting the  following  symptoms:  The  animal  was 
much  emaciated,  had  a  parrot  mouth,  the  upper  jaw 
extending  one  inch  beyond  the  lower  jaw.  Inferior 
incisors  and  molars  sound  and  perfectly  formed. 
The  upper,  central  and  lateral  incisors  were  denuded 
on  their  labial  surface,  the  whole  of  the  enamel  hav- 
ing been  removed  from  the  outer  surface  of  the  cen- 
tral pair.  On  examination  the  molars  of  the  upper 
jaw  were  found  to  have  assumed  a  like  condition, 
there  being  but  one  of  them  that  appeared  sound 
(the  first  right  upper).  Their  external  surfaces  were 
partially  or  wholly  denuded,  and  in  some  instances 
the  whole  table  surface  was  absent.  The  affected 
teeth  were  very  sensitive  when  tapped  with  the  for- 
ceps or  mallet.  The  animal  either  refused  all  hard 
food  or  ate  very  sparingly. 

My  attention  was  next  directed  to  a  full  brother 
of  the  mare,  but  two  years  older.  A  parrot  mouth 
of  about  the  same  appearance  was  noticed.  The 
incisor  teeth  of  the  upper  jaw  were  dark,  and  showed 
signs  of  disintegration,  and  undoubtedly  will  soon 
become  denuded.  The  lower  incisors  and  all  the 
molar  teeth  were  of  abnormal  appearance. 

On  inquiring  into  the  history  of  the  dam  of  these 
horses,  the  owner  informed  me  that  the  same  condi- 
tion was  present,  and  that  her  teeth  had  been  defec- 
tive for  some  time. 


VE  TERINAR  Y  DENTAL  S URGER  Y.  91 

This  particular  case  seems  to  have  been  the  result 
of  hereditary  transmission,  and  adds  weight  to  the 
theory  of  original  defectiveness  as  the  cause  of 
denuding  of  the  teeth. 

CAUSES. 
I  am  unable  to  positively  assign  the  cause  or 
causes  which  produce  denudation  of  the  teeth. 
There  are  influences  which  do  exist  and  might  be 
brought  to  bear  upon  the  teeth  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  bring  about  the  condition  described,  but  whether 
they  are  the  true  cause  or  not  I  am  unable  to  say. 
Mechanical  abrasion,  friction  of  the  lips,  presence 
of  acid  in  the  saliva  and  original  defectiveness  of  the 
enamel,  as  the  seat  of  the  disease,  may  all  have  more 
or  less  influence  in  the  production  of  this  patholog- 
ical condition. 

The  latter  (original  defectiveness),  I  believe  to  be 
the  true  cause,  though  this  is  only  a  hypothesis 
which  has  not  yet  been  definitely  proven.  It  appears 
less  objectionable  than  any  of  the  other  conditions 
enumerated.  We  do  know  that  one  or  more  teeth 
in  a  mouth  may  be  defective  without  there  being  a 
corresponding  defectiveness  in  the  other  teeth.  Did 
the  lower  teeth  as  well  as  the  upper  become  affected, 
the  acid  theory  would  seem  very  plausible.  The 
buccal  secretion  contains  an  acid  which  in  the  back 
part  of  the  mouth  is  mixed  with  saliva,  which  dilutes 
the  acid  to  such   a  degree   as   to  possibly   render  it 


92  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

harmless  to  the  molar  teeth.  It  may  be  that  the 
tongue  and  natural  flow  of  saliva  (owing  to  gravita- 
tion), over  the  lower  incisor  is  sufficient  to  dilute  the 
acid  contained  in  the  buccal  secretion  to  such  an  ex- 
tent as  to  render  it  inactive.  The  theory  of  imper- 
fect organization,  I  am  inclined  to  believe  is  the  true 
cause  of  this  affection.  There  is  yet  room  for  a 
more  thorough  investigation  of  this  subject,  though 
the  number  of  cases  coming  under  the  notice  of  the 
veterinarian  are  very  limited. 

TREATMENT. 

The  only  treatment  which  has  thus  far  proved 
satisfactory  is  the  thorough  removal  of  all  diseased 
tissue,  and  then  filling  the  cavity.  An  amalgam 
composed  of  tin,  silver  and  mercury  answers  all  pur- 
poses. This  effectually  retards  the  progress  of  the 
disease  for  a  time.  In  some  cases  all  future  difficulty 
is  avoided  in  this  manner.  For  instruction  for  filling 
teeth  see  Chapter  XXI. 

While  preparing  this  chapter  the  following  case 
was  reported  to  me  by  A.  C.  Runyan,  D.  D.  S.,  of 
Bangor,  Michigan.  The  reported  case  is  as  follows: 
"I  think  the  horse  was  about  five  years  old,  do  not 
know  what  gender,  owned  by  one  of  our  liverymen 
here.  It  would  not  eat  its  food  properly  and  in  con- 
sequence was  in  very  poor  condition.  As  nearly  as  I 
can  remember  only  the  superior  incisors  were  affect- 
ed.     The  two   centrals  were  the  worst  and   appar- 


VE  TERINAR  Y  DENTAL  SURGER  V.  9b 

ently  had  commenced  at  their  approximal  corners  on 
the  labial  surface.  One  of  them  was  completely  de- 
nuded of  enamel  for  one-fourth  the  distance  up  from 
the  cutting  edge  and  the  others  were  nearly  as  bad 
leaving  the  dentine  completely  exposed.  Consequent- 
ly the  teeth  were  very  sensitive.  There  seemed  to  be 
a  disintegration  of  the  dentine  at  the  point  of  union 
with  the  enamel.  The  carious  dentine  could  be 
removed  for  nearly  one-tenth  of  an  inch  under  the 
enamel  and  was  of  a  brownish  or  grayish  color.  The 
enamel  of  the  affected  teeth  varied  from  the  normal 
color  at  the  gums  to  a  white  or  chalky  color  where 
the  disease  was  progressing  to  a  light  brown  where 
it  was  crumbling  away. 

TREATMENT. 

I  removed  all  the  carious  dentine,  cut  back  the 
enamel  to  where  it  seemed  firm,  made  suitable  under- 
cuts and  put  in  amalgam  filling.  The  amalgam 
used  was  about  equal  parts  of  tin  and  silver  melted 
together  and  run  into  an  ingot  and  filed,  and  the 
filings  mixed  into  a  stiff  paste  with  mercury. 

I  never  have  seen  the  horse  since,  but  inquired 
about  it  once  or  twice.  Its  owner  thought  it  could 
eat  much  better,  but  disposed  of  it  in  a  few  days 
after  the  operation,  so  I  do  not  know  how  successful 
it  may  have  proved." 


CHAPTER  IX. 

EXOSTOSES,  THEIR  NATURE,  CAUSE,  SYMPTOMS 
AND  TREATMENT. 

An  exostosis  is  a  bony  enlargement,  and  may 
exist  on  any  part  of  the  osseous  framework.  Ring 
bone,  side  bone  bone  spavin,  and  splints  furnish  us 
the  best  example  as  to  its  development.  When  con- 
fined to  the  teeth  it  attacks  no  other  part  of  a  fully 
formed  tooth  than  the  root.  If  it  exists  on  the 
crown  or  free  surface  of  a  tooth  it  is  developed  with 
the  tooth.  As  has  been  already  noted  the  tooth  con- 
sists of  enamel,  dentine  and  cementum,  or  crusta- 
petrosa.  The  latter  alone  only  of  these  tissues  con- 
tain sufficient  vascularity  for  the  development  of 
these  tumors. 

The  exostoses  assume  various  sizes,  shapes  and 
positions.  They  usually  commence  near  the  extrem- 
ity of  the  root,  covering  more  or  less  the  whole 
external  surface.  Others,  however,  surround  the 
root  at  some  distance  from  its  extremity;  and  others 
develop  on  the  sides  forming  a  large  tubercle  like  the 
one  illustrated  in  Fig.  24. 

Here  we  have  one  of  those  tubercles  developed 
on  each  side,  the  deposition  continuing  until  they  at- 

94 


VETERINAR  Y  DENTAL  SURGE  A'  Y. 


95 


tained  a  great  size.  These  tubercles  have  the  color, 
density  and  structure  of  cementum.  In  some  in- 
stances the  color 
varies,  assuming  a 
yellow  tinge.  Such 
exostoses  are  usu- 
ally harder  than  the 
lighter  colored  ones. 
In  the  human  sub- 
ject the  deposition 
of  osseous  material 
is  so  extensive  as  to 
involve  two  or  more 
teeth  which  become 
thoroughly    united. 

Showing  an  exostosis  a,  b,  on  both     This      condition      I 
sides,  two-thirds  natural  size. 

have  never  observed 

in  the  domestic  animals,  with  but  a  single  excep- 
tion; that  being  where  the  sixth  and  seventh  lower 
right  molars  of  a  hog  had  become  firmly  united, 
resembling  a  single  tooth. 

CAUSE. 
Some  attribute  it  to  external  injury;  others  to 
irritation  of  the  periosteum  surrounding  the  root. 
The  tooth  from  which  the  above  drawing  was  made 
is  perfectly  sound  and  does  not  show  any  signs  of 
ever  having  been  diseased.  I  am  inclined  to  think  it 
is  due  to  a  constitutional  diathesis  following- the  same 


fig.  24. 

SECOND    UPPER  MOLAR. 


96  VE TERINAR  Y  DENTAL  SURGER  Y. 

law  as  exostosis  upon  any   other  bony  structures  of 

the  body. 

TREATMENT. 

The  only  treatment  practicable  is  the  extraction 
of  the  tooth,  for  when  once  established  there  is  no 
remedy  which  will  promote  its  absorption.  In  re- 
moving a  tooth  affected  by  exostosis  great  care  must 
be  exercised  lest  the  alveolus,  and  even  the  bone 
itself,  may  become  fractured.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  tre- 
phine down  onto  the  exostosis  and  remove  a  portion 
of  the  alveolus  of  sufficient  size  to  allow  the  tooth  to 
slip  out  without  fracturing  the  jaw  bone. 

C.  E.  Sayre,  D.  V.  S.,  of  Chicago,  Illinois, 
reported  a  very  interesting  case  of  an  exostosis  on 
the  roots  of  a  lower  (third)  molar  tooth.  The  tooth 
had  partially  decayed  and  was  a  source  of  much 
trouble  to  the  patient.  Upon  making  an  examina- 
tion it  was  found  that  there  had  been  complete  sepa- 
ration of  the  tooth  and  dental  periosteum  allowing 
the  tooth  to  become  loose  in  its  socket.  It  could  be 
rotated  very  easily  with  the  finger.  He  endeavored 
to  remove  it  with  the  extracting  forceps  but  did  not 
succeed.  Trephining  was  then  resorted  to,  an  open- 
ing being  made  directly  over  the  roots  of  the  tooth. 
On  exposing  them  an  exostosis  was  discovered  com- 
pletely encircling  the  tooth  a  short  distance  from 
the  end  of  the  root.  This  enlargement  formed  a 
complete   circle  around   the    tooth  and    very    much 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURER Y.  97 

resembled  a  tooth  that  has  had  a  buggy  washer 
slipped  over  it,  it  being  very  nearly  as  prominent. 

Fig.  24  represents  an  exostosis  upon  each  side  of 
the  root,  (a)  and  (<3)  representing  the  osseous  enlarge- 
ment. They  show  no  signs  of  ever  having  been 
diseased.  The  specimen  for  the  above  drawing  was 
presented  by  L.  R.  Brady,  V.  S.,  Manhattan,  Kansas. 

The  following  case  was  reported  by  Frank  Allen, 
of  the  American  Veterinary  College: 

*  "  On  the  9th  of  February  an  aged  bay  gelding 
was  brought  to  the  American  Veterinary  College 
for  dissecting  purposes  and  on  the  nth  of  February, 
when  placed  on  table  and  about  to  be  destroyed,  his 
breath  was  found  to  have  a  very  offensive  odor  and  a 
muco-purulent  discharge  was  observed  from  the  left 
nostril ;  he  had  eaten  all  right  from  the  time  he  was 
brought  in,  but  no  previous  history  could  be 
obtained.  The  diagnosis  of  a  decayed  tooth  was 
made  and  on  post  mortem  the  following  lesions  were 
observed : 

The  fourth  upper  molar  on  the  left  side  was  found 
loose  and  a  very  slight  pull  with  the  fingers  brought 
it  from  the  alveolus,  which  was  extensively  diseased 
and  ulcerated ;  the  mucous  membrane  and  hard  palate 
were  thickened  and  discolored  around  the  diseased 
tooth.  On  making  a  transverse  section  of  the  skull 
at  the  level  of   the   fourth  molar,  there  was  noticed 

♦American  Veterinary  Review,  Vol,  XIII,  Page  36. 


98  VE  TERINAR  Y  DENTAL  SURER  Y. 

between  the  superior  and  the  turbinated  bones  in  the 
middle  meatus  an  irregularly  shaped  bony  mass  about 
two  inches  in  circumference  and  weighing  between 
two  and  three  ounces;  it  was  one  and  a  half  inches 
from  the  diseased  molar.  The  pressure  of  this  mass 
had  caused  necrosis  and  absorption  of  part  of  the 
superior  turbinal   and  partial  absorption  of  the  nasal 


fig.  25. 

third  lower  right  molar  showing  an  exostosis  which 
involves  two  sides  of  the  tooth. 

bone  above  it,  making  a  shallow  depression  not  notice- 
able from  without.  The  septum  nasi  on  a  level  with 
this  mass,  had  a  circular  hole  the  size  of  a  fifty  cent 
piece  communicating  with  the  right  nostril  and  the 
whole  of  the  mucous  membrane  was  thickened  and 
congested.  The  bony  partition  between  the  inferior 
maxillarjr  sinus  and  the  nostril  was  absorbed,  clearly 
showing  that  at  one  time  the   growth  had  been  at* 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  99 

tached  to  the  fang.  The  crown  of  the  molar  was 
perfectly  normal.  On  making  a  section  of  the  mass 
it  appeared  to  be  composed  of  material  resembling 
crusta-petrosa. 

The  drawing  in  Fig.  25  was  made  from  a  tooth, 
taken  from  a  horse,  the  property  of  Mr.  William 
Charles,  of  Bangor,  Michigan.  The  history  of  the 
case  as  given  by  Mr.  Charles  was  as  follows: 

"For  two  years  previous  to  the  operation  (Sept. 
5th,  '86),  the  horse  had  gradually  declined  in  flesh, 
being  unable  to  properly  masticate  his  feed.  After 
a  time  a  foul  and  disagreeable  odor  emanated  from 
the  mouth,  the  gums  on  the  right  side  of  the  lower 
jaw  becoming  red  with  gradual  enlargement  over 
the  region  of  the  third  molar.  As  the  disease  pro- 
gressed the  difficulty  in  mastication  increased,  until 
the  coarse  feed  had  to  be  cut  very  fine.  The  grain 
consisted  of  corn,  oats  and  wheat,  which  was  ground 
as  fine  as  possible.  All  kinds  of  feed  were  swallowed 
whole.  By  this  mode  of  feeding  the  animal  was  kept 
in  such  condition  that  he  could  be  worked. 

On  the  above  date  I  was  requested  to  examine 
the  horse  and,  if  advisable,  to  operate.  On  making 
an  examination  of  the  mouth  I  found  a  large  tumor 
over  the  region  of  the  third  lower  right  molar.  It 
was  of  sufficient  size  to  cause  a  bulging  of  the  cheek 
that  was  noticeable  at  a  distance.  The  tumor  was 
partially  denuded  at  its  upper  extremity.     The  third 


100  VE  TERINAR  Y  DENTAL  SURGER  Y. 

as  well  as  the  second  molar  was  loose  in  its  socket, 
if  it  could  be  said  to  have  one,  and  by  moving  the 
teeth  I  could  feel  a  movement  of  the  tumor  corre- 
sponding to  the  movement  of  the  teeth.  The  first 
molar  of  that  jaw  was  also  diseased,  being  slightly 
carious. 

The  third  molar  was  first  extracted  with  the  for- 
ceps, the  tooth  coming  comparatively  easy ;  the  second 
then  fell  out  of  the  mouth  of  its  own  accord.  The 
first  was  also  extracted.  The  mouth  was  then 
thoroughly  cleansed  with  carbolized  water.  When 
the  animal  was  released  he  immediately  began  feeding 
on  some  grass  which  had  been  thrown  into  the 
manger  for  another  horse.  The  mouth  entirely  healed 
up  in  eight  weeks,  the  horse  rapidly  regaining  his 
former  condition.  He  was  also  able  to  eat  whole 
grain  and  coarse  feed  which  was  thoroughly  masti- 
cated, but  requiring  longer  time  than  -when  his  teeth 
were  perfectly  sound. 

Two  years  later  I  was  again  called  to  operate 
upon  the  teeth  of  the  same  animal;  they  were  all 
more  or  less  diseased  on  that  side  of  the  head;  were 
loose  and  when  extracted  were  found  to  be  covered 
with  exostoses,  which  varied  in  size  from  a  pin's  head 
to  a  bean.  This  animal  also  suffered  from  a  spavin. 
After  carefully  examining  the  above  conditions  I 
have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  in  this  case  there 
was  a  well  marked  ossific  diathesis  with  a  tendency 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 


101 


to  affect  the  teeth  as  well  as  the  other  bony  structures 
of  the  body. 

The  tooth  imbedded  in  the  exostosis  is  a  small  one, 
yet  the  tooth  and  tumor  combined  after  two  years' 
curing  weigh  five  ounces. 

The  second  molar  had  been  crowded  out  of  its 
normal  position,  rotating  in  its  movement  until  its 
diameter  from  before  back,  and  its  diameter  from 
side  to  side  had  changed  positions,  the  external 
border  coming  into  contact  with  the  posterior  border 
of  the  first  molar.  The  relative  position  of  the 
second  and  third  molars  are  illustrated  in  Fig.  26. 


fig.  26. 
second  and  third  lower  right  molars. 

Showing  the  position  the  2  had  attained  during  the 
growth  of  the  exostosis  on  the  3,  a  anterior  proximal 
surface. 


102  VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 

This  tooth  had  no  attachment  whatever  to  the  soft 
structures,  but  was  retained  in  the  mouth  by  the 
exostosis  on  the  third  molar. 

CHARACTER  OF  THE  EXOSTOSIS. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  make  out  definitely  the 
class  of  structure  entering  into  the  formation  of  the 
osseous  tumor.  During  its  growth  it  has  enveloped 
such  foreign  substances  as  hay  and  hair  which  are 
now  plainly  visible.  Nearest  the  tooth  it  has  the 
appearance  of  crusta  petrosa,  while  the  more  remote 
portions  resemble  a  calculus  deposit,  not  very  firm  in 
texture.  That  portion  next  the  tooth  however,  has 
taken  a  very  high  polish  from  coming  in  contact 
with  the  teeth  of  the  upper  jaw  which  passed  down 
upon  the  inside  of  the  tumor.  Had  the  tumor  not 
been  worn  away  by  this  friction  it  would  undoubtedly 
have  weighed  at  least  two  ounces  more. 

The  osseous  walls  of  the  sinuses,  also  become  the 
seat  of  osseous  tumors  — exostoses.  The  inferior 
maxillary  sinus  is  most  often  the  seat  of  this  disease, 
although  the  superior  maxillary  and  frontal  sinuses 
sometimes  suffer  from  a  similar  affection. 

These  tumors  or  exostoses  present  a  variety  of 
forms;  some  are  entirely  composed  of  bone,  some  of 
bone  and  cartilage,  some  of  cartilage,  and  others  bone 
and  fungous  flesh. 

The  first  consists  of  a  deposition  of  bony  material 
between  the  bone  and  periosteum,  to  both  of  which 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY  103 

it  firmly  adheres.  This  form  sometimes  attains 
sufficient  size  to  bulge  out  the  walls  of  the  sinus, 
giving  it  a  rounded  appearance,  and  in  some  instances 
breaking  through  the  bone. 

A  case  of  this  kind  was  brought  to  my  notice 
where  great  bulging  of  the  facial  bones  had  taken 
place  over  the  inferior  maxillary  sinus.  When  first 
seen,  an  opening  had  formed  externally,  which 
established  communication  with  the  tumor.  The 
owner  of  the  animal  merely  wanted  an  opinion  at 
the  time,  wishing  to  have  the  operation,  if  one  was 
necessary,,  deferred.  He  called  again  later  and 
requested  me  to  operate  which  I  did.  By  this  time 
a  portion  of  the  skin  had  sloughed  away,  exposing 
the  exostosis  to  full  view.  A  circular  portion  of 
bone  was  removed  from  over  the  exostosis,  which 
was  then  removed  by  aid  of  the  bone  forceps.  The 
cavity  was  dressed  with  antiseptic  lotions,  complete 
recoverv  taking  place  in  a  short  time. 

The  second  variety  consists  of  bone  and  cartilage, 
with  more  or  less  fungoid  matter  distributed  through- 
out its  formation.  It  is  the  variety  most  often  met 
with,  frequently  giving  rise  to  a  fetid  discharge 
from  the  nostril  on  the  side  where  it  is  situated. 

The  third  variety  is  that  composed  of  cartilage. 
This  undoubtedly  is  the  earliest  stage  of  the  two 
preceding  varieties  and  by  ossification,  if  left  alone,  is 
developed  into  bone,  forming  the  true  osseous  tumor. 


104  VE  TERINAR  Y  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 

The  fourth  variety  consists  of  fungous  growth 
very  firm  and  containing  small  spicules  of  bone. 
This  form  very  much  resembles  osteo-sarcoma.  It, 
like  osteo-sarcoma  has  a  malignant  character,  and 
seems  to  be  dependent  upon  some  constitutional 
diathesis.  It  is  very  rarely  noticed  in  horses ;  cattle 
however,  suffer  occasionally  from  its  effects. 

Exostoses  present  a  variety  of    external    forms, 
varying  from  a  soft,  spongy  and  cellular  mass  to  a 
very  compact  and  dense  osseous  tissue. 
SYMPTOMS. 

These  exostoses  may  exist  for  a  very  long  time 
without  giving  rise  to  any  serious  symptoms.  It  is 
rarely  that  the  presence  of  the  disease  is  suspected 
previous  to  the  bulging  of  the  external  walls  of  the 
sinus.  Occasionally  however,  they  exert  a  pressure 
upon  the  turbinated  bones,  causing  more  or  less 
difficulty  in  breathing.  It  is  only  when  the  sinuses 
are  opened  tip  with  the  trephine  that  their  presence 
can  be  definitely  ascertained.  Sometimes  there  will 
be  a  discharge  of  a  fetid  character  taking  place  from 
the  nostrils.  Percussion  will  enable  us  to  diagnose 
a  filling  up  of  the  sinus,  but  as  this  may  be  due  to  a 
variety  of  causes,  all  of  which  present  similar  symp- 
toms, we  can  not  arrive  at  a  true  diagnosis. 

The  author  has  repeatedly  found  the  sinus, 
especially  the  inferior  maxillary,  partially  or  wholly 
f  Ikd  up  with  these  bony  growths,  when  trephining 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  105 

for  the  purpose  of  removing  teeth.  The  exostoses 
if  solid  very  seldom  do  any  harm  until  they  exert 
undue  pressure  upon  the  teeth  or  walls  of  the  sinus. 
I  am  inclined  to  believe  from  the  frequent  discovery 
of  these  exostoses,  when  trephining,  that  they  are 
often  the  true  cause  of  caries  of  the  teeth,  or  inflam- 
mation of  the  dental  periosteum. 
CAUSES. 
Exostoses  on  the  walls  of  the  sinus  are  due  to  both 
local  and  constitutional  causes.  The  local  causes  are 
injury  to  the  walls  of  the  sinus  by  external  violence, 
which  either  fractures  the  bones  or  sets  up  an  inflam- 
mation of  the  inner  lining  of  the  sinus.  Nature  in 
endeavoring  to  assist  the  restoration  of  the  parts, 
causes  new  bone  cells  to  form,  which  greatly  multi- 
ply, forming  bony  tumors  of  variable  sizes,  according 
to  the  extent  of  the  injury.  The  constitutional  causes 
would  be  the  same  as  those  which  bring  about  the 
production  of  bony  tumors  in  other  parts  of  the  bony 
framework,  an  ossific  diathesis.  We  sometimes  see 
colts  that  were  born  with  exostoses  upon  certain 
parts  of  the  skeleton.  This  is  especially  true  of  the 
inferior  maxilla.  We  have  seen  numerous  instances 
where  there  was  an  exostosis  on  this  bone  about  the 
region  of  the  anterior  and  the  middle  third,  varying 
in  size  from  a  bean  to  an  English  walnut,  and  of 
various  shapes;  some  oblong,  others  oval,  and  in 
some  cases  very  elongated  ones  have  been  observed. 


106  VETERINART DENIAL  SURGERT. 

TREATMENT. 

No  treatment  will  completely  arrest  these  growths, 
and  a  dispersion  of  an  exostosis  on  the  walls  of  the 
sinus  can  never  be  effected.  Blisters  and  absorbents 
may  slightly  arrest  their  growth,  but  will  not  entirely 
cause  its  removal.  It  is  not  desirable  to  remove  an 
exostosis,  unless  it  continues  to  increase  in  size,  and 
produce  deleterious  effects  or  is  productive  of  serious 
inconvenience. 

When  it  becomes  necessary  to  remove  the  exosto- 
sis, it  should  be  fully  exposed.  This  may  be  accom- 
plished with  the  ordinary  trephine  and  separating 
saw,  after  having  properly  dissected  away  the  soft 
parts ;  care  being  taken  to  prevent  injury  to  the  sur- 
rounding tissue.  If  the  tumor  is  attached  to  the 
outer  walls  only,  of  the  sinus,  by  removing  the  walls 
the  tissues  can  be  brought  away  with  it.  If  attached 
to  the  internal  walls  of  the  sinus  by  a  broad  base,  its 
removal  is  more  difficult;  the  bone  cutting  forceps, 
Fig.  39  with  the  saw  and  bone  chisel,  will  be  neces- 
sary to  accomplish  its  removal. 

If  the  exostosis  be  cartilaginous  or  of  a  fungoid 
growth,  a  heavy  pair  of  scissors  will  be  strong 
enough  to  remove  them.  If  a  portion  of  the  exos- 
tosis remains,  the  application  of  the  actual  cautery 
will  prove  beneficial  by  causing  an  exfoliation  of  the 
diseased  portion.  The  Paquelin  thermo-cautery  is 
an  excellent  instrument  for   cauterizing.     When  the 


VETERINAR7  DENTAL  SURGERY.  107 

latter  treatment  is  pursued  that  portion  exfoliating 
should  not  be  neglected  and  allowed  to  fall  down 
and  remain  in  the  bottom  of  the  cavity,  or  it  will  set 
up  an  irritation  which  will  produce  a  discharge  of 
pus  through  the  nostrils  that  will  remain  until  the 
exfoliated  portion  is  removed. 

Dr.  C.  E.  Sayre,  prof essor  of  veterinary  dentistry 
at  the  Chicago  Veterinary  College  relates  the  follow- 
ing cases: 

"During  January,  1887,  I  was  called  to  see  a 
horse,  the  property  of  Mr.  M.  on  Twelfth  street. 
The  history  as  given  by  the  owner  revealed  the  fact 
that  the  animal  had  received  a  kick  on  the  lower  jaw 
a  year  before,  since  which  time  there  had  been  a 
slight  discharge  continually  taking  place  over  the 
region  of  the  injury. 

"On  examination  I  found  a  small  sinus  under  the 
third  lower  right  molar  which,  by  passing  the  probe, 
proved  to  be  very  shallow,  not  more  than  a  half  inch 
in  depth.  At  the  bottom  of  the  sinus  necrosed  bone 
conld  be  easily  detected.  I  suspected  caries  of  the 
third  molar,  but  by  a  careful  examination  of  the  tooth 
could  detect  no  trace  of  disease.  The  gums  adhered 
firmly  to  the  tooth.  I  then  concluded  that  there  was 
a  small  sequestrum  of  necrosed  bone  and  advised 
trephining  and  its  removal.  Dr.  Drake  who  was 
with  me  at  the  time  coincided  with  my  views. 

"After  applying  the  twitch  we  proceeded  with  the 


108  VETERTN ART  DENIAL  SURGERY. 

operation,  using  a  ^  inch  trephine,  cutting  through 
and  removing  the  external  bony  plate.  We  found 
underneath  it  a  piece  of  necrosed  bone,  about  as  large 
as  a  good  sized  pea.  We  made  a  careful  examina- 
tion of  the  wound,  but  could  not  find  that  the  sinus 
extended  any  deeper.  The  wound  did  very  well, 
and  in  a  few  days  healed  up  nicely,  but  much  to  our 
disappointment  only  remained  so  a  short  time,  when 
it  broke  out  and  discharged  the  same  as  before.  We 
were  then  very  certain  that  we  had  made  a  mistake 
in  our  diagnosis,  and  that  the  tooth  must  be  involved; 
yet  examination  by  the  mouth  did  not  help  us  to 
diagnose  the  difficulty.  However,  we  advised  the 
removal  of  the  tooth,  but  the  owner  of  the  horse 
would  not  consent.  He  then  placed  the  animal 
under  the  care  of  Dr.  Craig  who  said  the  tooth  was 
perfectly  sound,  and  that  the  sinus  could  be  healed  in 
a  few  weeks.  After  treating  the  horse  for  three 
months  with  no  better  results  than  ours,  he  was 
returned  to  the  owner.  The  following  November  I 
was  again  called  to  see  the  horse,  and  could  then 
pass  the  probe  three  inches  into  the  pulp  cavity  of 
the  tooth.  This  convinced  the  owner  that  the  tooth 
was  unsound,  and  I  was  asked  to  extract  it.  On. 
account  of  the  age  of  the  horse  (six  years),  the  teeth 
being  very  long  at  this  time,  I  decided  to  trephine 
and  drive  the  tooth  out.  As  we  already  had  a  sinus, 
all  we  needed  to  do  was  to   enlarge   the    opening 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  109 

which  we  did,  and  expose  the  fang  of  the  tooth. 
Placing  the  punch  on  the  tooth,  a  few  heavy  blows 
with  the  mallet  drove  it  up  into  the  mouth.  On 
examination  of  the  tooth  after  its  removal  we  found 
the  root  ulcerated  and  covered  with  numerous  small 
exostoses,  and  the  entire  pulp  cavity  diseased.  The 
jaw  was  then  examined  and  found  to  be  slightly 
necrosed,  also  several  small  exostoses  on  the  second 
molar  which  could  be  felt  through  the  opening  made 
by  the  trephine.  I  was  about  to  place  the  punch  on 
this  tooth  and  drive  it  out,  but  much  to  my  disap- 
pointment and  disgust  the  owner  would  not  consent. 
I  could  not  convince  him  that  the  tooth  was  diseased, 
so  had  to  abandon  its  removal,  well  knowing  that 
time  would  verify  my  diagnosis.  I  never  saw  a  case 
do  better,  and  very  much  to  my  surprise  healed  up 
entirely.  I  could  not  believe  that  I  had  made  a  mis- 
take, and  time  proved  I  had  not.  In  a  few  weeks  it 
broke  out  as  before.  It  was  not  until  March,  1888, 
that  the  owner  consented  to  have  the  tooth  removed. 
We  found  quite  a  different  horse  this  time  on  which 
to  perform  an  operation.  Before  he  was  very 
docile;  now  after  one  experience  in  the  stocks  he  was 
almost  unmanageable.  However,  I  succeeded  in 
trephining  without  much  difficulty,  but  when  the 
punch  was  placed  on  the  tooth  we  found  it  impossible 
to  strike  it,  on  account  of  the  head  being  kept  in 
continual  motion.     The  horse  was  then  cast  and  the 


110  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGER1 . 

tooth  driven  out.  After  this  operation  he  became 
very  vicious,  so  that  it  was  dangerous  to  dress  the 
wound.  As  a  consequence,  the  jaw  swelled  very 
much.  A  poultice  was  finally  applied  when  the 
inflammation  subsided.  We  were  then  able  to  dress 
the  wound,  but  it  healed  slowly,  taking  three  months 
to  recover.  The  jaw  was  left  somewhat  thickened. 
We  applied  blisters  to  this  several  times,  and  now  it 
is  so  smooth  that  it  is  only  by  close  inspection  it  can 
be  detected. 

I  regard  this  as  one  of  the  most  instructive  cases 
that  has  ever  come  to  my  notice.  It  shows  that  there 
may  be  ulceration  of  a  root  of  a  tooth  without  any 
sensible  manifestation  of  disease  in  the  mouth,  such 
as  the  shrinking  of  the  gum  away  from  the  tooth,  as 
we  have  heretofore  been  taught  is  always  the  case." 

"A  case  very  similar  to  the  above  occurred  in  one 
of  my  own  horses.  He  was  purchased  in  May,  1888, 
and  had  a  discharge  from  the  fang  of  the  second 
lower  molar  of  the  right  jaw.  He  had  received  a 
kick  on  the  jaw  about  a  year  before.  The  horse 
being  very  nervous  and  determined  we  thought  best 
to  cast  and  place  him  under  the  influence  of  an 
anaesthetic.  Equal  parts  of  chloroform  and  ether 
were  administered,  and  in  twenty  minutes  we  pro- 
ceeded with  the  operation.  An  opening  was  made 
with  the  trephine  over  the  roots  of  the  tooth  which 
was  easily  driven  out  with  the  punch  and  mallet.     In 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  Ill 

about  half  an  hour  the  horse  got  up,  but  seemed 
quite  weak  for  a  few  minutes.  He  quickly  recovered 
however,  and  took  his  feed  as  usual  that  evening. 
He  did  very  well,  and  I  left  for  the  West  a  short 
time  afterwards,  expecting  to  find  him  all  right  on 
my  return,  but  much  to  my  disappointment  there 
was  a  slight  discharge  from  a  small  sinus,  which 
extended  up  towards  the  first  molar.  The  tooth  on 
examination  by  the  mouth  showed  no  evidence  of 
disease.  The  horse  was  again  cast  and  the  tooth 
removed.  No  ulceration  was  present,  but  inflamma- 
tion of  the  periodental  membrane  was  well  marked 
which  would  undoubtedly  have  resulted  in  ulcera- 
tion. Recovery  took  place  very  slowly,  but  per- 
manently. The  wound  could  not  be  dressed  on 
account  of  the  viciousness  of  the  horse. 

"In  cases  of  the  above  nature  I  should  advise  a 
complete  operation  at  the  first  attempt,  removing  all 
the  diseased  teeth  and  bones,  as  horses  invariably  get 
very  nervous  and  hard  to  handle  after  a  second  opera- 
tion, and  it  is  impossible  to  give  them  the  care  they 
require." 

C.  E.  Sayre,  D.  V.  S.,  relates  the  following  case 
of  an  exostosis  situated  on  an  incisor  tooth: 

"I  had  a  case  of  exostosis  on  the  left  lateral  upper 
incisor,  as  large  as  a  good  sized  hickory  nut.  The 
tooth  itself  was  very  soft,  in  fact  appeared  to  be  only 
made  up  of  crusta-petrosa,  and  had  worn  away  almost 


112  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY, 

to  the  gum  and  appeared  perfectly  sound.  The 
gum  was  very  much  inflamed  around  it,  and  when  I 
undertook  to  extract  it,  I  found  it  very  difficult  to  do 
so,  and  had  to  cut  the  alveolus  on  both  sides  before  I 
could  effect  its  removal." 

Dr.  W.  L.  Williams,  of  Bloomington,  111.,  reports 
the  following  case  of  dental  cyst: 

"An  eleven  months  old  French  draft  filly  of  excep- 
tionally good  form,  size  and  quality,  was  brought  to 
our  hospital  suffering  from  extreme  dyspnoea,  and 
showing  an  enormous  swelling  of  the  facial  bones  on 
left  side. 

"The  owner  first  noted  signs  of  disease  some  two 
or  three  months  previously,  when  upon  sudden 
exertion  slight  dyspnoea  was  evident,  and  about  the 
same  time  the  bulging  of  the  facial  bones  was  noted, 
both  of  which  symptoms  increased  rapidly  up  to  date 
of  admission  to  hospital. 

"The  central  part  of  facial  swelling  was  about  two 
inches  above  the  fang  of  fourth  superior  molar,  and 
apparently  was  due  to  some  affection  of  the  teeth. 
There  was  no  nasal  discharge  and  nood  or  discernable. 
The  general  health  and  condition  of  the  filly  was 
good. 

"It  was  decided  to  trephine  into  the  enlargement,  in 
order  to  determine  the  exact  nature  of  the  affection, 
and  after  passing  through  the  ordinary  thickness  of 
bone,  we   came  upon    a   hard,  tooth-like   substance 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  113 

barring  our  way.  A  small  opening  at  one  side  of 
the  tooth  tumor  permitted  the  escape  of  about  two 
pints  of  pale-yellowish  serum. 

"The  opening  through  the  facial  bones  was  en- 
larged, exposing  a  large  part  of  the  surface  of  the 
dental  tumor,  a  steel  punch  was  placed  against  it, 
when  with  several  sharp  blows  it  was  broken  from 
its  attachments.  It  was  found  impracticable  to 
remove  the  tumor  entire,  so  it  was  broken  up  by 
means  of  heavy  bone  cutting  forceps  and  removed 
in  pieces.  The  tumor  was  irregular  in  form  and 
weighed  about  four  ounces. 

"The  surrounding  cyst  from  which  the  tumor  had 
been  removed  and  the  fluid  had  escaped,  had  enlarged 
to  such  an  extent,  as  to  destroy  all  partitions  between 
the  sinuses  on  the  left  side,  converting  all  into  one 
great  cavity  completely  occupied  by  the  cyst  which 
by  its  great  size,  had  encroached  upon  and  occluded 
the  left  nasal  passage,  and  by  pressure  upon  the  nasal 
septum  had  crowded  it  over  into  right  nasal  pas- 
sage, seriously  diminishing  it  in  extent,  necessitating 
great  effort  in  respiration. 

"The  inside  of  cyst  was  thickly  studded  through- 
out its  extent  with  soft,  rough  pyramidal  bony  eleva- 
tions i^  to  y^  inches  in  diameter  at  base,  and  y%  to  i^ 
inches  from  base  to  apex. 

"On  the  outside  the  cyst  was  smooth,  covered  with 
mucuous  membrane,  and   detached    from  the  facial 


114  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

cavity  throughout  the  greater  part  of  its  extent,  and 
was  readily  removed  by  means  of  strong  dressing 
forceps.  The  removal  of  the  cyst  disclosed  the  sen- 
sory branch  of  facial  nerve,  entirely  devoid  of  its 
bony  sheath,  stretching  across  the  facial  cavity. 

"At  points  where  the  cyst  walls  were  continuous 
with  the  facial  cavity,  the  bony  papillae  were  care- 
fully removed,  and  the  entire  cavity  dressed  with 
carbolized  oil  and  iodoform. 

"Improvement  was  prompt  and  rapid,  healthy 
granulations  appearing  over  the  entire  extent  of  the 
cavity.  In  about  a  week  the  walls  of  the  cavity 
receded  promptly,  relieving  the  dyspnoea  and  decreas- 
ing the  outward  bulging,  and  on  the  twelfth  day 
after  admission  she  was  discharged  apparently  on  the 
safe  road  to  recovery.  Six  weeks  later  the  owner 
reported  her  as  practically  well." 


CHAPTER  X. 

FOREIGN    SUBSTANCES. 

THEIR  SOURCE,  SYMPTOMS  AND  TREATMENT  —  FRACTURES 
OF  THE  TEETH — HOW  CAUSED — MEANS  OF  EFFECTING 
THEIR    REMOVAL. 

It  frequently  occurs  that  foreign  substances,  such 
as  sticks  of  wood,  pieces  of  corn  cobs,  wheat,  rye 
and  barley  beards  become  lodged  between  the  teeth 
or  in  the  gums.  These  substances  may  be  forced 
between  adjoining  teeth  or  may  become  lodged  cross- 
wise of  the  mouth  between  the  right  and  left  rows 
of  upper  molars.  Occasionally  but  rarely,  sticks 
become  lodged  between  the  corner  incisors.  Where 
horses  are  fed  corn,  the  cobs  sometimes  become 
lodged  in  the  roof  of  the  mouth. 
SYMPTOMS. 

Continual  champing  of  the  jaws;  excessive  flow 
of  saliva,  at  first  frothy,  but  gradually  becoming 
clear  and  ropy.  If  of  long  standing  the  saliva 
will  have  an  offensive  odor,  the  result  of  disease 
of  the  soft  structures  coming  in  contact  with  the 
foreign  substance.  Appetite  increased,  sometimes 
ravenous,  but  the  animal  is  unable  to  take  any  food ; 
great  thirst  with  difficult  deglutition;  rapid  emacia- 
115 


116  VETERIN ART  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

tion,  and  general  weakness  if  the  foreign  substance 
is  not  removed.  On  the  whole,  the  animal  after  a 
few  days  presents  a  very  dejected  appearance. 
Examination  of  the  mouth  will  reveal  the  true  nature 
of  the  difficulty. 

TREATMENT. 

Remove  the  cause,  and  if  the  mouth  is  sore  from 
having  been  lacerated,  dress  it  with  alum  water  two 
or  three  times  a  day  for  several  days;  allow  plenty  of 
soft  food  until  the  wound  heals. 

Barley,  rye  and  wheat  beards  sometimes  prove 
very  annoying  and  troublesome  by  forcing  their  way 
into  the  soft  structures  of  the  mouth.  When  present 
they  are  usually  found  on  the  under  surface  of  the 
tongue  and  in  the  gums,  outside  of  the  lower  teeth. 
They  produce  irritation  which  is  shown  by  more  or 
less  champing  of  the  jaws,  free  flow  of  viscid,  some- 
what fetid  saliva.  More  or  less  pain  is  evinced  while 
eating.  After  their  complete  removal  the  mouth 
soon  regains  its  natural  condition.  Animals  that  are 
troubled  in  this  manner  or  that  have  sore  mouths, 
should  not  be  allowed  to  feed  on  straw  which  con- 
tains beards,  as  they  are  sure  to  prove  a  source  of 
more  or  less  annoyance  to  the  animal. 

Dr.  Sutton,  of  Kalamazoo,  Michigan,  related  a 
case  to  me  where  a  piece  of  corn  cob  had  become 
lodged  between  the  right  and  left  sixth  upper  molars. 
When  brought  to  him  for  treatment  it  had  suffered 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  117 

for  two  weeks  and  was  reduced  to  a  mere  skeleton. 
He  readily  diagnosed  the  trouble  and  removed  the 
cause.  The  horse  rapidly  regained  his  former  con- 
dition. 

While  practicing  at  Kalamazoo,  Michigan,  I  was 
called  to  treat  a  mare  that  had  been  suffering  for 
three  days  from  some  cause,  which  the  owner  was 
unable  to  diagnose.  However  he  had  attempted 
treatment  and  as  a  result  the  whole  mouth  was  blis- 
tered from  the  effects  of  the  medicine  which  he  had 
administered.  When  I  first  saw  the  mare  she  was 
standing  in  the  stall  hanging  the  head  and  champing 
the  jaws.  There  was  an  abundant  flow  of  viscid 
saliva  from  the  mouth  which  was  ropy  and  presented 
a  fetid  odor.  On  making  an  examination  of  the 
mouth,  I  discovered  a  piece  of  corn  cob  lodged 
between  the  upper  and  sixth  molars.  It  had  become 
so  firmly  lodged  that  it  was  with  some  difficulty  that 
I  effected  its  removal.  The  under  surface  of  the  cob 
had  been  worn  smooth  by  the  continual  motion  of 
the  tongue,  which  had  as  a  consequence,  become 
very  much  lacerated  and  swollen.  The  after  treat- 
ment consisted  of  cooling  lotion  to  the  mouth  and 
soft  food  for  a  few  davs. 

*"The  editor  of  The  Veterinarian  reports  the 
case  of  a  pony  that  came  near  starving  from  having 
a  stick  fastened   in    its    mouth.     No  fracture  of  the 


*Clark,  Horses'  Teeth,  Page  201. 


118  VE  TERINAR  T  DENT  A  L  S  URGER 1 . 

bone  was  produced,  but  the  account  of  the  case 
is  worthy  of  insertion  notwithstanding  that  fact, 
for  it  illustrates  a  class  of  mishaps  to  which  the 
horse  is  subject.     He  says,   (  Veterinarian,  1855,  p. 

33o):" 

"  A  pony  was  turned  into  a  pasture  and  was  not 
seen  for  several  days.  The  owner  found  it  standing 
in  the  corner  of  the  field  looking  dejected  and  thin, 
with  a  small  quantity  of  viscid  saliva  escaping  from 
its  mouth.  He  took  care  of  the  pony  for  a  few  days 
during  which  time  it  took  nothing  but  a  little  water, 
which  it  drank  with  great  difficulty.  Our  attendance 
was  now  requested.  Examination  disclosed  a  stick 
about  the  size  of  one's  finger,  firmly  wedged  across 
the  palate  between  the  corner  incisors.  Its  pressure 
had  produced  extensive  sloughing  so  that  the  bone 
was  completely  exposed.  The  pain  was  so  great 
that  the  animal  stoutly  resisted  our  efforts  to  remove 
the  cause  of  its  suffering.  This,  however,  was  soon 
done,  and  the  parts  being  cleaned  with  tepid  water, 
were  afterwards  dressed  with  tincture  of  myrrhae. 
Little  after  treatment  was  necessary  beyond  the  daily " 
application  of  the  tincture,  a  mash  diet  and  the  substi- 
tution of  oat  meal  gruel  for  plain  water. 

The  following  case  was  reported  in  the  American 
Veterinary  Review  and  is  interesting  in  that  it 
shows  the  varied  symptoms  which  the  presence  of 
foreign  bodies  may  produce. 


VE TERINAR 2 '  DENTAL  S  URGERT.  119 

DENTAL  NEURALGIA. 

BY  MR.  MACORPS. 

*"An  old  horse  had  for  about  a  week  refused  food, 
carrying  his  head  down  and  resting  the  occiput  up- 
ward against  the  lower  border  of  the  manger,  as  if 
trying  to  raise  it.  The  patient  was  dull  and  listless, 
the  mucuous  membranes  pale,  the  coat  staring,  the 
flanks  retracted.  At  times  the  muscles  of  the  neck 
were  the  seat  of  slight  trembling,  and  he  had  convul- 
sive movements,  as  if  in  great  pain.  Careful  inquiry 
into  the  history  of  the  trouble  failing  to  throw  any 
light  upon  the  case  or  aid  in  the  diagnosis,  a  minute 
examination  of  the  mouth  was  made  when  a  black 
foreign  body  was  found  projecting  between  the  first 
two  molar  teeth  of  the  lower  jaw.  This  was  knocked 
off  with  a  chisel  and  hammer,  and  followed  within 
an  hour  by  complete  recovery." 

FRACTURES  OF  TEETH. 

Fractures  of  the  teeth  sometimes  occur  and 
become  a  source  of  great  annoyance  to  the  animal. 
The  fracture  may  arise  from  various  causes  and 
assume  various  forms.  The  tooth  may  be  fractured 
longitudinally,  through  the  center,  or  transversely 
through  the  crown,  neck  or  fang.  Sometimes  the 
crusta-petrosa  or  external  layer  of  enamel  becomes 
separated  from  the  main  portion  of  the  tooth.  This 
latter  condition  I  have  frequently  found  present  in 
colts   from  one    to  two  years    of   age.     Fig.  27  and 

♦American  Veterinary  Review,  Vol.  x.,  Page  272. 


120 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 


28  represent  shells  which  have  become  separated 
from  the  tooth.  They  are  very  thin  and  only  made 
up  of  cement  and  dentine.  The  symptoms  presented 
in  the  two  cases  were  similar ;  there 
was  great  emaciation,  bulging  of  the 
cheek,  quidding  of  the  food,  fetid 
odor  emanating  from  the  mouth; 
great  difficulty  was  experienced  in 
masticating  the  food.  On  examin- 
ing the  mouth  large  quantities  of 
partially  masticated  food  were  found 

lodged  between  the  two  portions  of 
fig.  27.  &  " 

Portion  of  ex-   the  tooth.     This  had  become    sour 

ternal  layer  of  en-         j  1     j  r  -u\         a 

amel  which    has    and  had  a   very    disagieeable  odor. 

become  separated   After  its  removal  the  separated  por- 

from    a    molar 

tooth,      a,    cross   tion  of  the  tooth  could  be  easily  felt 

section      I?  luters-l 

view.  and  was  removed  with  the  forecps. 

Fractures  of  the  teeth  may  be  produced  in  various 
ways.  External  injury  such  as  a 
blow  or  a  kick,  biting  gravel,  small 
stones,  sticks,  nails,  bolts,  burrs, 
pieces  of  iron,  &c.  Fractures  of  the 
molars  also  frequently  take  place 
after  the   incisors  have  been  dressed  FIG  28, 

down,  especially  if  enough  has  been  removed  to  keep 
them  from  coming  together.  Longitudinal  fractures 
of  perfectly  sound  teeth  are  sometimes  seen  in  young 
horses,  the  cause  of  which  is  rather  imperfectly 
understood.     I  have  on  several  occasions  been  called 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  121 

to  remove  such  teeth,  the  cause  of  their  fracture 
being  unknown.  On  examination  after  removal 
they  appeared  perfectly  healthy.  These  cases  always 
occurred  soon  after  the  tooth  had  made  its  appear- 
ance as  a  permanent  one.  Unless  their  organization 
was  defective  or  their  growth  excessive,  I  am  at  a 
loss  to  account  for  the  fracture.  Transverse  fracture 
of  the  root  is  usually  the  result  of  a  kick.  In  such 
cases  a  sinus  will  form,  opening  on  the  external  sur- 
face of  the  jaw.  They  give  the  animal  much  pain 
during  the  process  of  mastication.  Fig.  29  shows  a 
tooth  with  a  fractured  fang.  The  fractured  ends  are 
.  worn  smooth  by  the  constant 
movement  of  the  root  in  its 
socket.  The  root  remained  in 
the  alveolar  cavity  after  the 
extraction  of  the  crown.  It 
was  loose  but  was  situated  so 
far  below  the  border  of  the 
gum  that  it  was  impossible  to 
grasp  it  with  the  forceps.  The 
instrument  represented  in  Fig. 
51  was  then  devised  and  made 
fig.  29.  out  of  a  piece  of  5-16  toe  calk 

fourth  lower  right  steel.     With   it    the    root  was 

MOLAR.       <7,    P  O  I  N  T    OF 

fracture.  easily  removed.* 

*I  would  say  that  the  above  instrument  is  one  of  the  best  for  removing  roots 
that  remain  in  the  cavity  and  are  too  short  to  grasp  with  the  forceps.  I  have 
two  of  them,  one  as  represented  in  the  Fig,,  and  the  other  with  the  curve  just 
the  reverse. 


122  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

TREATMENT. 

The  treatment  consists  in  removing  the  frag- 
ments of  teeth.  This  may  be  accomplished  in  va- 
rious ways,  either  the  forceps,  elevator,  or  trephine 
and  punch  may  be  used,  whichever  best  answers 
the  purpose.  If  the  tooth  is  carious  and  an  upper 
molar,  accompanied  by  a  discharge  from  the  nos- 
tril, it  is  best  to  use  the  trephine,  even  after  the 
remaining  portion  has  been  removed.  That  portion 
which  is  absent  may  have  passed  up  into  the  sinus, 
and  unless  removed  will  keep  up  a  continual  irrita- 
tion, attended  by  a  constant  discharge  (of  a  very  fetid 
character),  from  the  nostrils.  Whole  teeth  occasion- 
ally pass  into  the  sinus  and  produce  serious  results. 
I  have  never  seen  a  case  where  a  fragment  of  tooth 
had  passed  into  the  sinus  but  have  taken  whole  teeth 
from  those  cavities.  The  after  treatment  will  con- 
sist in  keeping  the  parts  clean  and  if  trephining  has 
been  resorted  to,  the  opening  should  receive  proper 
attention. 

During  the  summer  of  1888  a  large  brown  mare 
was  brought  to  Dr.  B.  C.  Thomas,  D.  V.  S.,  of 
Chicago,  which  had  been  discharging  from  the 
right  nostril  for  some  time.  The  walls  of  the  sinus 
were  very  much  bulged.  On  examination  he  found 
the  fourth  upper  molar  split  and  the  inside  half  gone. 
He  easily  extracted  the  other  half  and  by  exploring 
the  cavity  with  the  finger  found  it  to  be  full  of  feed. 


VE  TERINAR  Y  DENTAL  S  URGER  T.  123 

He  then  trephined  the  frontal  and  superior  maxil- 
tary  sinuses,  and  much  to  his  surprise  found  the 
other  half  of  the  tooth  in  the  frontal  sinus.  It  was 
removed  through  the  opening  made  by  the  trephine, 
the  mare  making  a  good  recovery. 

*"C.  D.  House,  Veterinary  Dentist  performed  an 
unusual  operation  on  a  7-year-old  horse,  the  property 
of  Mr.  J.  T.  Allen  of  Hartford,  Conn.  In  1S76  a 
surgeon(  ?)  made  an  incision  in  the  right  cheek  and 
knocked  out  a  large  part  of  the  fifth  upper  grinder. 
The  violence  of  the  operation,  fractured  both  the 
tooth  and  the  jaw,  imbedding  a  large  fragment  of 
the  former  in  the  bone  above  the  socket.  A  year 
afterward,  the  horse  still  suffering  and  discharging 
matter  from  the  nostril,  Mr.  House  was  requested 
by  Mr.  Allen  to  examine,  and  if  possible  cure  him. 
He  failed  however  to  discover  the  cause  of  the  dis- 
charge, and  it  was  not  until  the  expiration  of  another 
year  that  he  determined  to  probe  the  case  to  the 
bottom,  the  horse  in  the  meantime  having  suffered 
as  usual.  Making  an  instrument  of  the  proper  size 
and  shape,  he  introduced  it  into  the  nostril,  seized  the 
tooth  fragment  and  drew  it  forth,  the  horse  at  that 
instant  making  a  deep  expiration,  which  blew  out 
several  fragments  of  bone,  and  a  part  of  the  root  of 
the  tooth.     The  animal  made  a  good  recovery." 


*  Clark's  Horses  Teeth. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

DENTAL  CYSTS. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  features  in  connec- 
tion with  the  study  of  the  teeth  is  the  fact  that  they 
may  be  developed  in  almost  any  portion  of  the  body. 
They  are  found  in  connection  with  the  sinuses  of 
the  head ;  the  temporal  bones ;  the  frontal  bones ;  the 
base  of  the  ear;  the  space  between  the  angles  of  the 
lower  jaw ;  the  lumbar  region ;  the  testicles  and 
ovaries  and  near  the  kidneys.  These  teeth  may 
exist  singly,  in  pairs  or  in  clusters. 

Dentigenous  cysts  contain  fully  developed  teeth 
which  closely  resemble  a  molar  tooth  in  all  its  parts. 
They  are  made  up  of  the  different  structures  entering 
into  the  formation  of  teeth  which  occupy  their 
natural  position. 

The  most  common  situation  of  these  dental  cysts 
is  the  temporal  region  at  the  base  of  the  ear.  They 
produce  a  fistulous  opening  from  which  there  is  a 
constant  discharge  of  pus  with  no  tendency  to  heal. 
C.  C.  Grice,  a  veterinary  surgeon  of  New  York, 
reports  a  very  interesting  case  of  the  development 
of  a  tooth  at  the  base  of  the  ear.     He  savs:  *  "At 


*  Veterinarian  1S67,  page  392. 

124 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  125 

the  request  of  Mr.  Barnum,  a  merchant  of  our  city, 
and  the  owner  of  a  breeding  farm  in  Westchester 
county,  I  attended  a  two-year-old  colt,  considered 
to  be  very  valuable,  as  he  comes  from  trotting  stock. 
Mr.  Barnum  merely  said  the  colt  had  a  discharge 
from  the  base  of  the  near  ear,  and  that  it  had  existed 
for  ten  months. 

"I  found  the  animal  so  very  shy  on  account  of 
the  previous  torturing  of  his  attendants5  that  I  could 
not  approach  him;  therefore  I  had  to  cast  him. 
The  introduction  of  the  probe  failed  to  satisfy  me 
that  any  foreign  body  existed  there,  but  on  dilating 
the  orifice  and  introducing  the  most  reliable  of  all 
probes,  my  fore  finger,  I  discovered  a  hard  substance 
which  was  firmly  attached  to  the  temporal  bone 
and  surrounding  parts.  I  could  not  grasp  the  sub- 
stance with  the  forceps,  therefore  I  used  the  handle 
of  the  instrument  as  a  lever,  and  after  using  great 
force  dislodged  it.  Mr.  Barnum  picked  up  some- 
thing in  the  grass  four  or  five  yards  from  me  and  it 
proved  to  be  a  molar  tooth.  On  examining  the. 
wound  afterwards  I  found  some  loose  fragments  of 
bone,  and  on  removing  them  they  appeared  to  be 
the  socket  of  the  tooth.  These  parts  have  entirely 
healed  and  left  no  blemish." 

The  development  of  teeth  in  the  sinuses  of  the 
head  is  a  rare  occurrence,  yet  I  have  been  fortunate 
enough  to  see  one  such    case.     The  subject  was  a 


126  VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 

mare  seven  years  old  and  well  bred,  the  property  of 
Mr.  Clark,  of  White,  Dakota.  There  had  been  a  dis- 
charge of  pus  from  a  fistulous  opening  opposite  the 
superior  maxillary  sinus  which  appeared  several 
months  previous  to  my  being  called  to  see  the  case. 
Prior  to  the  discharge  there  had  been  a  gradual 
bulging  of  the  bones  of  the  face  over  the  region 
just  described.  On  passing  a  flexible  metalic  probe 
into  the  fistulous  opening  it  met  with  some  resistance 
under  the  bones  forming  the  walls  of  the  sinus.  By 
moving  the  probe  it  passed  over  considerable  sur- 
face which  appeared  rough  and  indented.  I  was 
unable  to  correctly  diagnose  the  condition  which 
existed,  believing  it  to  be  some  form  of  a  bony 
tumor  or  an  exfoliated  portion  of  bone.  I  next 
examined  the  mouth  and  found  the  teeth  all  in  a 
healthy  and  natural  condition. 

An  opening  was  made  with  the  trephine  over 
the  diseased  portion  of  the  sinus,  and  the  diseased 
cavity  was  exposed  to  view.  A  rather  large  tumor- 
ous appearing  substance  was  noticed  but  could  not 
be  thoroughly  examined  owing  to  the  interference 
of  the  blood.  The  tumor  was  detached  with  a 
heavy  pair  of  cutting  forceps  and  on  examination 
proved  to  be  an  imperfectly  formed  molar  tooth, 
with  its  crown  nearest  the  external  wall  of  the  sinus. 
The  wound  was  dressed  and  directions  left  for 
future  treatment  and  a  request  to  report  the  results 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  127 

of  the  operation,  but  I  have  been  much  disappointed 
in  not  learning  the  results  of  the  treatment. 

It  not  infrequently  happens  that  a  second  and 
third  operation  has  to  be  performed,  for  a  tooth 
again  develops  in  the  same  place.  Should  this  be 
the  result  the  opening  rarely  closes. 

A  very  interesting  case  recently  came  under  my 
observation  where  a  dental  cyst  had  formed  just 
below  the  ear.  The  subject  was  a  mare  three  years 
old,  the  property  of  A.  E.  Strong,  of  Vicksburg, 
Michigan,  and  had  been  discharging  pus  from  a 
cavity  the  opening  of  which  was  one-third  the 
distance  from  the  base  toward  the  apex  of  the  ear. 
At  the  time  my  attention  was  directed  to  the  dis- 
eased condition  the  discharge  had  existed  for  about 
six  months,  the  owner  of  the  mare  thinking  it  would 
soon  heal.  A  physical  diagnosis  revealed  the  out- 
line of  the  cyst,  which  was  very  superficial  and  easy 
to  remove. 

The  formation  of  teeth  in  the  various  parts 
which  have  been  mentioned,  seem  to  follow  the 
same  general  law  in  their  development  as  those 
which  appear  in  their  proper  places.  They  force 
their  way  towards  the  surface  and  establish  a  com- 
munication in  that  manner  with  the  external  surface 
of  the  body.  It  is  self-evident  that  this  action  is  not 
the  same  as  that  which  results  from  the  presence  of 
a  foreign  substance.     Though  one  of  these  encysted 


128  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

teeth  may  be  considered  as  a  foreign  body,  yet  it 
possesses  inherent  vitality.  It  is  supplied  with 
blood  and  with  nerves  and  is  covered  by  periosteum 
which  has  the  power  of  secreting  the  cementum. 
It  possesses  all  the  elements  necessary  to  produce  a 
healthy  growth  of  all  the  structures  which  go  to 
make  up  the  tooth.  Indeed  tiie  teeth  in  dentigen- 
ous  cysts  are  always  sound  themselves,  no  case  to  my 
knowledge  being  on  record  where  they  were  found 
carious.  I  have  seen  a  goodly  number  of  such  teeth 
which  have  been  removed  by  various  surgeons  but 
never  saw  any  other  than  a  perfectly  sound  one. 

We  frequently  find  that  foreign  substances 
which  have  become  lodged  in  various  parts  of  the 
body  become   encysted   and  produce   no  bad  results. 

Abdominal  pregnancy  furnishes  us  an  excellent 
example  where  a  body  foreign  to  its  location  may 
exist  for  years  and  produce  no  bad  results.  Two 
cases  of  this  kind  have  come  under  my  own  personal 
observation  where  sows  did  well,  thrived  and  fat- 
tened as  though  nothing  unusual  had  happened.  •  T 
have  in  my  possession  at  present  two  pigs  which  were 
in  the  abdominal  cavity  eighteen  months,  were  fully 
developed  encysted,  and  gave  no  trouble  to  the 
animal.  The  owner  of  the  hog  was  not  aware  that 
anything  unusual  had  occurred  until  the  animal  was 
butchered  for  market.  The  above  does  not  clearly 
belong  in  a  work   of   this   nature,  yet  it    admirably 


VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  2 '.  129 

illustrates  that  substances  foreign  to  their  position  do 
not  always  cause  trouble   simply  because  they  exist. 

In  view  of  these  facts  it  appears  as  though  teeth 
developed  in  other  parts  of  the  body  than  the  mouth 
do  not  cause  a  fistulous  opening  because  they  are 
foreign  to  their  location,  but  that  they  follow  the 
same  law  of  development  and  after  a  certain  period, 
in  their  effort  to  reach  the  surface,  destroy  the  soft 
tissues  which  impede  their  exit,  the  same  as  any 
other  teeth.  I  have  seen  a  discharge  take  place  in  a 
number  of  instances  over  the  region  of  the  canine 
teeth  when  about  to  make  their  exit. 

Why  these  teeth  should  develop  at  all  outside  of 
the  mouth  is  a  mystery  which  as  yet  needs  a  satis- 
factory solution,  especially  when  located  in  the  lum- 
bar region,  the  ovaries  and  testicles.  Their  appear- 
ance in  the  sinuses  can  be  traced  to  a  definite  source 
and  I  think  is  satisfactorily  explained  by  Professor 
Williams,  "who  says:  *  "  To  understand  the  process 
by  'which  these  tumors  are  formed,  it  is  necessary  to 
remember  that  the  teeth  of  all  animals  belong  to  and 
arise  from  the  membranous  portion  of  the  digestive 
canal  and  that  at  a  very  early  period  of  foetal  life  pro- 
vision is  made  for  the  development  of  the  perma- 
nent teeth  as  well  as  the  temporary.  This  provision 
according  to  Goodsir,  who  devoted  much  of  his 
attention  to   the  subject  is   as   follows:  'As  early  as 

♦Principles  and  Practice  of  Veterinary  Surgery,  page  430. 


130  VE  TBRINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER 1 . 

the  sixth  week  of  intra-uteral  life  (in  the  human 
foetus),  a  groove  appears  along  the  border  of  the 
future  jaws,  called  the  primitive  dental  groove, 
which  is  lined  by  the  membrane  of  the  mouth.  At 
the  bottom  of  this  groove  projections — papillae — 
spring  up,  corresponding  in  number  with  the  tem- 
porary teeth;  these  gradually  increase  in  size  and 
acquire  the  shape  of  the  future  teeth. 

Whilst  the  growth  of  the  papillae  are  going  on, 
partitions  are  formed  across  the  groove  by  which 
they  become  separated  from  each  other.  These  par- 
titions subsequently  form  the  bony  sockets. 

The  formation  of  these  partitions  places  each 
papilla  in  a  separate  cavity.  Concurrent  with  this 
process  small  growths  take  place  upon  the  mem- 
brane of  the  mouth  just  as  it  dips  into  the  papillary 
cavity  or  follicle  which  finally,  by  union  with  other 
growths,  form  a  lid  which  covers  the  papillae  in  a 
closed  sac  or  bag. 

Before  a  final  closing  of  the  follicle,  a  slight 
folding  inwards  of  its  lining  membrane  takes  place. 
This  folding  inwards  of  the  membrane  of  the  prim- 
itive groove  is  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  new 
cavity — the  cavity  of  reserve — which  furnished  a 
delicate  mucous  membrane  for  the  future  formation 
of  the  permanent  tooth. 

From  a  study  of  this,  it  will  be  found  that  the 
cavity  in  which  a  permanent  tooth  is  developed  is  a 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  131 

mere  detachment  from  the  lining  of  the  primitive 
groove  by  the  formation  of  a  fold  in  the  lining 
membrane  and  that  in  this  cavity  a  papilla  is  formed 
exactly  in  the  same  way  as  that  of  a  temporary  tooth. 
Now  I  look  upon  the  formations  of  these  dental 
tumors  as  being  due  to  some  eccentricity  in  this 
folding  of  the  lining  membrane,  by  which  the  cavity 
of  reserve  is  made  up  of  several  folds;  that  these 
folds  become  eventually  separated  from  each  other, 
forming  separate  cavities  of  reserve;  and  that  a 
papilla  becomes  developed  in  each  cavity  thus 
formed  in  a  manner  similar  to  those  constituting  the 
papilla  of  the  natural  tooth.  These  irregular  papillae 
become  finally  converted  into  irregular  which  for 
want  of  space  in  the  mouth  are  forced  upwards  into 
the  antrum  (sinus),  and  may  completely  block  it  up 
as  well  as  the  posterior  opening. 

"I  have  classified  them  as  cystic  tumors,  as,  in  the 
first  instance  they  are  inclosed  in  sacs  or  cysts ;  they 
however,  soon  burst  through  their  investing  mem- 
brane and  form  a  large  tumor,  composed  entirely  of 
teeth,  having  a  great  variety  of  shapes  and  running 
in  different  directions.  The  teeth  vary  in  size,  some 
being  very  small,  others  nearly  as  large  as  a  perma- 
nent molar.  Each  tooth  has  a  pulp  cavity,  and  is 
composed  of  the  same  structures  as  the  natural 
teeth." 


CHAPTER  XII. 

TARTAR. 

HOW      FORMED — ITS      EFFECT      ON      THE      TEETH—  LAMPAS  — 
CAUSE,    SYMPTOMS   AND   TREATMENT. 

Tartar  is  composed  of  earthy  salts  and  animal 
matter.  Phosphate  and  carbonate  of  lime  and 
fibrin  or  cartilage  are  its  principal  Ingredients;  a 
small  quantity  of  fat  also  enters  into  its  composition. 
The  relative  proportions  vary  in  different  animals 
and  also  in  the  same  animal. 

All  teeth  are  subject  to  tartar  but  not  alike,  it 
being  deposited  to  a  very  great  extent  on  some, 
while  on  others  it  exists  only  in  small  quantities. 
It  collects  on  the  teeth  of  some  animals  in  greater 
abundance  than  on  those  of  others,  and  its  chemical 
composition  and  physical  characteristics  are  exceed- 
ingly variable.  In  some  horses  it  is  very  hard  and 
is  then  almost  wholly  composed  of  earthy  ingredi- 
ents; in  others  it  is  soft  and  easily  crushed  between 
the  fingers.  In  such  cases  it  contains  a  greater  per 
cent,  of  animal  matter. 

Its  color  varies  in  different  animals;  in  some  it    is 
a  dark  brown  or  nearly  black ;  in  others  pale  yellow- 
ish brown,  and  in  some  instances  nearly  white. 
132 


VE  TER1NAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T.  133 

Several  theories  have  been  advanced  with  regard 
to  the  manner  in  which  the  deposition  of  tartar 
takes  place.  The  most  satisfactory  and  at  present 
generally  accepted  theory  is  that  it  is  precipitated 
from  the  saliva,  as  that  fluid  enters  the  mouth,  upon 
the  surface  of  the  teeth  opposite  the  opening  of  the 
ducts  from  which  it  is  poured.  Particle  after  parti- 
cle is  deposited  until  it  accumulates  in  such  quanti- 
ties that  the  whole  tooth  is  almost  or  entirely  en- 
crusted with  it.  This  is  particularly  noticeable  in 
connection  with  the  canine  teeth,  which  very  often 
are  entirely  covered  with  the  secretion. 

EFFECTS  OF  TARTAR  UPON  THE  TEETH,  GUMS 
AND  ALVEOLAR  PROCESSES. 
The  effect  of  tartar  upon  the  teeth  varies  to  a 
considerable  extent.  Some  animals  never  seem  to 
suffer  any  inconvenience  whatever,  while  in  others 
there  is  more  or  less  irritation  constantly  present. 
This  is  shown  by  tumefaction  of  the  gums  and 
I  believe  in  a  good  many  instances  gives  rise  to  the 
condition  known  as  Lampas,  when  occurring  in 
old  horses.  Diseased  gums  and  the  destruction  of 
the  alveolar  processes,  and  the  loosening  and  com- 
plete loss  of  the  teeth  are  among  the  resulting  ef- 
fects of  its  deposition.  When  deposited  close  to  the 
gum  it  by  slow  additions  gradually  forces  the 
gums  and  periosteum  away  from  the  tooth.  After 
this    it  acts   as   a    foreign    substance  and  nature  en- 


134  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

deavors  to  rid  itself  of  the  offending  object.  In- 
flammation is  set  up  with  the  gi-adual  formation  of 
pus,  which  may  exist  in  large  or  small  quantities. 
I  have  on  several  occasions  removed  molars  with 
my  fingers,  where  there  was  a  complete  separation 
of  the  tooth  and  soft  structures.  These  teeth  were 
always  covered  with  more  or  less  tartar  which 
extended  much  below  the  surface  of  the  gums,  and  in 
some  instances  were  covered  with  pus.  I  have 
in  my  possession  at  present  writing  such  a  tooth 
which  is  completely  enveloped  with  tartar,  vary- 
ing more  or  less  in  density  on  different  parts  of  the 
tooth. 

Another  case  came  under  my  observation  where 
the  tartar  had  collected  on  the  left  upper  central 
incisor  of  a  horse  in  sufficient  quantity  and  had 
penetrated  to  such  a  depth  as  to  cause  much  tume- 
faction of  the  soft  parts.  On  making  a  close  exam- 
ination a  small  piece  of  tartar  was  detected  project- 
ing through  the  gum  about  three-quarters  of  an 
inch  from  where  the  tooth  emerged.  This  was 
drawn  out  and  an  incision  made  down  to  the  tooth 
and  several  large  pieces  of  tartar  removed,  which 
extended  up  to  the  alveolar  projection. 
TREATMENT. 

The  tartar  should  be  removed  when  found  to  ex- 
ist, especially  if  in  sufficient  quantity  to  affect  the 
health   of  the  animal  in  any  manner.     This  may  be 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  135 

accomplished  with  the  ordinary  bone  spoon  repre- 
sented in  figure  30,  which  should  be  followed  by 
the  brush,  an  ordinary  nail  brush  answering  the 
purpose.     Care  must  be    observed    and   if   possible 


fig.   30. 

BONE      SCRAPER. 

every  particle  removed  or  it  will  form  a  nucleus 
around  which  deposition  will  again  take  place  very 
rapidly. 

LAMPAS— CAUSE,    SYMPTOMS    AND   TREAT- 
MENT. 

Closely  allied  to  the  subject  of  tartar  is  another 
condition  which  has  received  the  name  Lampas. 
This  term  does  not  convey  a  definite  meaning  of 
the  condition  to  which  it  is  applied,  yet  for  the  want 
of  a  better  one  it  will  have  to  be  used. 

Lampas  is  an  unnatural  tumidity  of  the  bars 
forming  the  roof  of  the  mouth,  frequently  involving 
the  gums  of  both  upper  and  lower  jaw.  The  bars 
are  pale  colored  and  pliable  during  health,  but 
in  a  mouth  affected  with  Lampas  they  will 
swell  up,  become  red  and  tumid,  bulging  down- 
ward even  with,  and  often  below  the  grind- 
ing surface  of  the  teeth.  They  have  lost  their 
pliability      and    are    much    harder     to    the     touch 


136  VETERTNART  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

than  when  in  a  natural  condition.  These  symptoms 
are  not  confined  to  that  portion  of  the  mouth  just 
back  of  the  incisor  teeth,  but  often  exist  in  the  bars 
between  the  molar  teeth,  where  they  escape  the 
notice  of  the  casual  observer.  The  inside  gums  of 
the  lower  jaw,  also  the  outside  occasionally,  are 
sometimes  affected  in  a  similar  manner.  First  there 
is  congestion  and  in  some  instances  it  is  followed  by 
more  or  less  inflammation,  sometimes — but  rarely — 
terminating  in  suppuration.  In  young  horses  it  is 
undoubtedly  due  to  teething  or  external  injury.  In 
some  instances  aggravated  cases  have  been  observed 
in  aged  horses.  The  cause  of  its  appearance  in  such 
animals,  has  not  been  satisfactorily  explained  up  to 
the  present  time.  Some  ascribe  it  to  the  continua- 
tion of  the  growth  of  the  teeth  during  life,  others  to 
the  constant  pushing  up  of  the  teeth  from  their 
alveolar  cavities.  It  is  due,  no  doubt,  in  some  in- 
stances to  external  violence,  such  as  a  hard  substance 
bruising  the  parts  and  separating  the  gums  from  the 
teeth. 

The  immediate  or  exciting  causes  of  tumefac- 
tion of  the  gums  are  local  irritation,  produced  by 
salivary  calculus  (tartar),  by  carious,  dead  or  loose 
teeth,  or  roots  of  teeth.  A  projecting  molar  may 
be,  and  often  is  a  source  of  irritation  to  the  dental 
periosteum  and  gums,  which  gradually  extend  until 
the  whole  becomes  involved.     This  may  explain  the 


VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T.  1 37 

more  frequent  occurrence  of  Lampas  in  the  upper 
jaw,  for  in  the  majority  of  cases,  the  loss  of  a  tooth 
from  natural  causes  takes  place  in  the  lower  jaw, 
leaving  the  opposite  tooth  unopposed.  It  will  then 
gradually  force  its  way  out  becoming  longer  than 
the  adjacent  teeth.  The  irritation  will  be  very 
much  increased  should  the  tooth  occupy  (which  it 
frequently  does),  a  position  like  that  represented  in 
figure   31. 

Dead  or  loose  teeth  act  as  foreign  bodies,  as  also 
do  the  roots  of  teeth  where  the  crowns  have  de- 
cayed or  been  broken  off.  These  set  up  irritation  in 
their  immediate  vicinity  which  may  gradually  ex- 
tend until  a  considerable  portion  of  the  gums 
become  involved.  Tartar  forces  the  gums  and  the 
alveolar  dental  membrane  away  from  the  tooth,  or 
a  small  particle  of  tartar  may  become  detached  and 
work  its  "way  in  between  the  soft  structures,  pro- 
ducing irritation  with  a  tendency  towards  suppura- 
tion. 

TREATMENT. 

First  thoroughly  examine  the  mouth  and  if  pos- 
sible ascertain  the  cause  in  order  to  effect  its  removal. 
If  in  a  young  animal  and  the  tumidity  of  the  gums  be 
due  to  teething,  and  the  teeth  have  not  yet  appeared, 
it  would  be  well  to  lance  the  gums  over  and  down 
upon  the  teeth  causing  the  trouble,  which  in  most 
cases  will  probably  be  the   canine  or  sixth  molars. 


138  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

Such  an  operation  is  very  often  followed  by  the  im- 
mediate subsidence  of  the  symptoms.  If  due  to  tartar 
its  removal  should  be  effected  in  the  manner  already 
described;  and  if  resulting  from  dead,  carious  or 
fractured  teeth,  remove  them  and  bathe  the  mouth 
with  a  dilute  solution  of  distilled  extract  of  witch- 
hazel,  carbolic  acid  and  water.  The  solution  should 
not  contain  more  than  one  part  of  carbolic  acid  to 
forty  parts  of  water  and  ten  parts  of  the  witch- 
hazel.  In  no  case  is  it  necessary  to  scarify  or  burn 
the  gums  to  relieve  the  symptoms,  for  it  only  adds 
to  the  already  existing  irritation  a  foul,  sloughy, 
carious  sore,  which  can  in  no  way  ease  the  Lampas. 
The  tumidity  of  the  bars  is  the  effect  of  the  disease 
and  not  the  cause,  hence  any  treatment  which  is 
applied  to  relieve  the  effect  must  necessarily  fall 
short  of  its  object  unless  the  cause  first  receives 
attention. 

The  true  cause  of  unthriftiness  in  many  cases  of 
supposed  Lampas,  is  some  constitutional  disturbance, 
existing  independently  of  a  diseased  mouth,  and 
requiring  a  different  mode  of  treatment.  A  few 
doses  of  tonic  or  alterative  medicine  will  usually 
relieve  the  symptoms  in  a  short  time. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

PROJECTING    TEETH    IN    HORSES,   SHEEP    AND 
PIGS. 

THEIR    CAUSE,    RESULTS    AND   TREATMENT. 

There  seems  to  be  a  difference  of  opinion  among 
the  various  authors  in  regard  to  the  length  of  time 
permanent  teeth  continue  to  grow;  some  maintaining 
that  the  growth  of  the  tooth  is  completed  by  the 
sixth  or  seventh  year,  others  by  the  tenth  or  twelfth 
year,  while  some  contend  that  the  tooth  of  a  horse 
grows  for  a  much  longer  period. 

Clark,  "  Horse  Teeth,"  page  73,  says:  "They, 
^■permanent  teeth  attain  their  growth  more  slowly 
than  the  temporary,  and  a  healthy  tooth  continues  to 
grow  throughout  life.  The  growth  offsets  the  wear, 
the  wear  the  growth. 

If  we  carefully  examine  the  above  statement  we 
can  not  conclude  otherwise  than  that  the  tooth  retains 
its  length  throughout  life,  for  if  "the  growth  off. 
sets  the  wear,  and  the  wear  the  growth,"  then  it 
must  necessarily  follow  that  one  end  of  the  tooth 
is  reinforced  as  fast  as  the  other  is  cut  away  by  attri- 
tion.    This  theory  does  not  hold  true  in  actual  prac- 

*  Italics  mine. 

139 


140 


VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 


tice.  If  we  extract  a  tooth  from  a  horse  eight  years 
old,  and  compare  it  with  a  corresponding  tooth 
that  has  been  extracted  from  a  horse 
sixteen  or  eighteen  years  old,  there 
will  be  a  considerable  difference  in 
their  length  in  favor  of  the  younger 
tooth.  In  aged  animals  there  often 
remain  only  the  roots  of  the  teeth. 
These  roots  are  very  short  and  easily 
removed;  had  the  growth  offset  the 
wear  this  would  not  have  been  the 
result. 

*  "  It  is  not  until  the  tooth  begins 
to  be  pushed  from  the  alveolus  and 
the  crown  to  become  worn  that  its 
fig  30.  fangs  are  formed;  these  are  at  first 

tooVwh^haf  hollow     and     afterwards    filled,    as 

been  extracted.  well  as  tiie   cavity  of  the  tooth,  by 

The  table  surface 

shows  the  irregu-  the  formation  of  a  new  quantity  of 

lar  wear  to  which  .       . 

it  has  been   sub-  dentine.     From  this  time   the   fang 

ceases -to  grow;  but  the  tooth  con- 
stantly projected  beyond  the  alveolar  cavity,  allows 
the  walls  which  enclose  it  to  contract,  so  that  in 
extreme  old  age  it  happens  that  the  shaft  com- 
pletely worn  away,  instead  of  the  tooth,  leaves 
several  stumps  formed  by  the  fangs." 

•j- "  The  permanent   teeth  are  thrust  up  from  the 

*  Chauveau,  Comp.  Anat.     Page  354.  t  Same,  Page  349. 


VE TERINAR  Y  DENTAL  S  URGER T. 


141 


alveoli  during  the  entire  life  of  the  animal  to  replace 
the  surface  worn  off  by  friction." 

If  we  combine  the  essential  points  of  the  last  two 
statements  we  will  see  that  the  tooth  ceases  to  grow 
at  some  period  of  life  (just  when,  we  are  left  in 
doubt),  and  that  its  free  surface  above  the  gums  is 
maintained  after  the  growth  of  the  tooth  ceases,  by 
being  pushed  upwards  from  the  alveolar  cavity  and 
the  gums  closing  around  it. 

I  formerly  held  the  same  opinion  as  that  expressed 
by  Professor  Clark,  that  the  teeth  continued  to  grow 
throughout  life,  but  since  have  had  so  many  proofs 
of  its  erroneousness  that  I  have  very  materiall)- 
modified  my  views. 

The  following  cut,  Fig.  31,  shows  the  fourth 
upper    molar    which    has  projected     just   one   inch 


fig.  31. 

Molar  teeth  of  the  horse,  showing  a  projecting  fourth 
molar. 


142  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

beyond  the  teeth  on  either  side  of  it,  owing  to  the 
loss  of  the  corresponding  tooth  of  the  lower  jaw. 
There  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  was  the  direct  cause  of 
the  animal's  death,  it  having  cut  deep  into  the  lower 
jaw,  and  even  worn  away  a  considerable  portion 
(three-quarters  of  an  inch)  of  bone. 

If  we  examine  the  cut  closely  we  will  notice  that 
the  roots  do  not  extend  within  three-quarters  of  an 
inch  as  far  up  into  the  alveolar  cavity  as  those  of  the 
teeth  on  either  side.  Taking  the  difference  of 
measurements  of  the  projecting  tooth  and  those  on 
either  side,  and  we  have  one-fourth  inch  more  on 
the  crown  of  the  projecting  tooth  than  would  other- 
wise have  been  there  had  the  tooth  constantly 
remained  in  wear.* 

The  drawing  for  the  above  cut  was  made  from 
one  of  many  specimens  that  I  have  in  my  possession, 
all  of  which  are  deemed  as  convincing  proofs  that 
the  teeth  do  not  continue  to  grow  during  life. 

It  is  difficult  to  determine  the  exact  time  at  which 
the  tooth  ceases  to  grow.  I  have  endeavored  to  col- 
lect the  opinions  of  some  of  the  best  veterinary 
anatomists  in  this  country,  and  for  this  purpose  the 
following  questions  were  sent  out: 

First — How  long  are  the  permanent  teeth  of  the 
horse  in  developing? 

*  The  fact  that  the  roots  of  the  fourth  molars  are  always  shorter  than 
those  of  the  third  and  fifth  must  not  be  lost  sight  of  in  making  a  com- 
parison. The  difference  amounts  to  from  one-fourth  to  five-sixteenths  of  an 
inch,  as  shown  in  Fig.  32,  which  was  drawn  from  a  perfectly  healthy  mouth. 


VETERIN ART  DENTAL  SURGERT 


143 


Second — At  what  age  do  they  cease  to  grow,  or 
do  they  grow  throughout  life? 

Third — If  they  cease  to  grow,  how  is  their  free 
surface  maintained? 

Drs.  Hughes,  Grange  and  Liautard  responded, 
and  their  communications  are  here  inserted: 

Joseph  Hughes,  M.  R.  C.  V.  S.,  Professor  of 
Anatomy  at  the  Chicago  Veterinary  College,  says: 
«  I  would  say  that  at   one   time   I   was  particularly 


m 

k  4".  i  3. 

FIG.    32. 

Upper  jaw,  showing  the  roots  of  the  molar  teeth ;  1", 
canine;  1',  2',  3',  incisors;  1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  molars;  g,  fangs  of 
fourth  molar. 

interested  in  that  question,  and  sought  every  oppor- 
tunity to  determine  as  to  when  molar  teeth  stop 
growing.  I  proved  this  much  to  my  satisfaction. 
As  soon  as  a  molar  tooth  is  fully  erupted  and  comes 
into  wear,  the  pulp  in  the  cavity  commences  to  shrink, 
and  in  doing  so  produces  layer  after  layer  of  yellow 
osteo-dentine.  The  shrinkage  still  continuing,  the 
pulp  cavity  soon  becomes  filled  and  at  the  same  time 
the  fangs  commence  forming,  being  produced  by  the 
pulp  which  is  almost  completely  atrophied  by  this 


144  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

time.  So  long  as  it  exists  however,  it  continues  to 
form  dentine,  thus  drawing  out  the  fang  to  a  taper- 
ing point.  When  this  occurs  all  nutrition,  in  my 
opinion,  is  cut  off  from  the  tooth,  so  that  it  can  not 
be  regarded  otherwise  than  a  foreign  body,  firmly 
clasped  by  the  gum  and  alveolus,  and  continually 
pushed  upwards  by  the  contraction  of  the  plates  of 
bone  which  become  thinner  as  age  advances.  I 
would  say  that  at  from  seven  to  nine  years  a  tooth 
has  attained  its  fullest  growth." 

E.  A.  A.  Grange,  V.  S.,  Professor  of  Veterinary 
Science  at  the  Michigan  Agricultural  and  Mechanical 
College,  says:  "  I  believe  the  development  of  the 
teeth  varies  with  the  individual,  and  am  inclined  to 
think  they  stop  growing  at  the  fourth  or  fifth  year. 
(*  The  horse  would  then  be  seven  to  nine  years  old) ; 
though  I  would  not  be  surprised  if  it  was  subject  to 
considerable  variation,  but  I  do  not  think  that  they 
continue  to  grow  throughout  life,  say  beyond  the 
twelfth  year." 

A.  Liautard,  M.  D.,  V.  S.,  Professor  of  Anatomy 
at  the  American  Veterinary  College,  says:  "Per- 
manent teeth  are  in  the  state  of  development,  until 
they  make  their  appearance  through  the  gums  which 
close  their  alveolar  cavity;  but  though  developed 
they  then  begin  their  growth  outside  the  cavity  and 
owing  to  their   situation   begin   to   grow  out  at  two 

*  Italics  mine. 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  145 

and  one-half  to  three;  three  and  one-half  to  four 
years,  and  their  full  growth  can  be  considered  at  the 
time  when  the  tables  of  the  teeth  are  in  perfect  con- 
tact. The  growth  however  does  not  stop  at  that 
time.  I  believe  their  growth  out  of  the  alveoli 
keeps  on  going  if  opposed  by  the  rubbing  of  a  tooth 
opposite;  an  even  wearing  takes  place  if  nothing 
arrests  it;  or  if  there  is  no  wearing  the  tooth  keeps 
on  growing  out  of  its  cavity  and  may  overlap  or 
overgrow  the  other  teeth  by  inches.  In  other  words 
the  free  part  after  having  reached  its  full  develop- 
ment, if  not  exposed  to  wear,  is  growing.  The 
tooth  becomes  too  long,  but  its  length  is  made  at  the 
expense  of  its  root  which  becomes  shorter.  Take  a 
tooth  which  has  not  been  in  wear,  as  in  the  case  of 
the  opposite  being  removed;  let  it  grow  to  its 
utmost,  then  pull  it.  Its  roots  will  be  very  short. 
Again  take  one  which  is  softer  than  normal,  it 
undergoes  an  excess  of  wear.  When  it  is  project- 
ing but  little,  extract  it  and  the  roots  will  be  corre- 
spondingly longer.  And  then  again  take  that  of  a 
very  old  horse  in  which  the  wearing  has  been  per- 
fect and  then  both  roots  will  be  very  small." 

It  is  of  great  importance  in  operating  that  we 
should  know  when  the  tooth  ceases  to  grow,  for 
operations  may  be  performed  on  a  full  grown  tooth 
that  would  not  be  admissible  where  the  pulp  exists  to 
any  considerable  extent.     The  pulp  is  highly  supplied 


146 


VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 


O 


with  nerves  which  come  from  the  fifth  pair  and  are 
very  sensitive,  and  it  is  owing  to  its  extreme  sensibility 
that  toothache  is  so  severe  when  the  pulp  is  exposed. 
TREATMENT. 
There  are  two  methods  of  dealing 
with  long  teeth,  one  by  extracting  and 
the  other  by  cutting  the  tooth  down  even 
with  the  other  teeth.  The  age  of  the 
animal  will  be  an  important  element  in 
deciding  which  course  to  pursue.  If  but 
four  or  five  years  old  the  tooth  should  be 
extracted,  which  may  be  accomplished 
with  the  common  heavy  extracting  for- 
ceps. If  the  tooth  is  cut  off  at  this  age 
there  is  danger  of  exposing  the  nerve 
and  severe  toothache  would  result;  caries 
would  soon  supervene,  making  the  entire 
removal  of  the  tooth  necessary. 

If  the  horse  is  seven  years  old  or  over, 
the  tooth  may  be  cut  off  with  the  open 
molar  cutters.     Fig.  33. 

It  should  then  be  dressed  smooth  with 
the  float  so  that  the  soft  structures  of  the 

mouth  which   come   in   contact  with  the 
Fig.  33. 

Open  molar  tooth,  will  not  become  irritated  and  ulcer- 
cutter. 

ated. 

If  the  tooth  is  cut  off  it  should  be  looked  after 

at  least  once   each  year,  for  it  gradually  protrudes 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT.  147 

again  and  needs  to  have  the  operation  repeated. 
Extracting  on  the  whole  is  deemed  preferable, 
although  it  seems  rather  formidable.  A  long  tooth 
even  if  sound  is  not  nearly  as  hard  to  extract  as 
those  on  either  side  of  it  which  have  remained  in 
constant  wear. 

The  reason  of  this  is  obvious,  for  if  we  examine 
the  roots  we  find  they  do  not  extend  nearly  as  far 
into  the  alveolar  cavity  as  those  on  either  side, 
neither  are  the  roots  as  long.  They  thus  afford  less 
surface  for  attachment  to  the  side  of  the  alveolar 
cavity. 

There  is  another  important  element  that  should 
not  be  lost  sight  of  even  if  the  projecting  tooth  is 
extracted.  It  very  frequently  happens  that  the  tooth 
of  one  jaw  does  not  come  wholly  into  opposition 
with  the  corresponding  tooth  of  the  opposite  jaw. 
In  such  cases  either  the  anterior  or  posterior  edge  of 
one  of  the  teeth  in  the  jaw  opposite  from  that 
which  had  the  tooth  extracted,  will  still  remain  out 
of  wear  and  as  a  consequence  will  gradually  project, 
often  producing  a  very  sharp  point  which  lacerates 
the  lips  very  severely.  These  points  should  be 
removed  and  the  mouth  carefully  examined  there- 
after at  least  once  a  year. 

Difficulty  may  also  arise,  and  frequently  does, 
from  the  teeth  on  either  side  of  the  cavity,  formed 
by  extracting  the  tooth,  closing  in  and  partially  fill- 


148 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 


ing  up  the  space.  In  this  manner  one  edge  of  them 
comes  more  or  less  out  of  wear,  and  results  similar 
to  those  already  described  may  follow. 

The  question  often 
arises :  "  Is  an  animal 
with  missing  or  dis- 
eased teeth  unsound  ?" 
I  should  say  most  de- 
cidedly that  he  is,  for 
more  or  less  trouble 
will  ever  afterward  be 
experienced  in  keep- 
ing the  teeth  in  proper 
shape  and  the  animal 
,in  good  condition. 
Although  strictly 
speaking,  it  is  perhaps 
not  an  unsoundness,  yet 
it  leads  to  disease 
which  will  materially 
affect  the  usefulness  of 
the  animal,  unless  care- 
fully watched  and  sub- 
sequent defects  re- 
Fig.  34.     Incisor  cutter.  moved. 

The  incisor  teeth  occasionally  need  to  be  short- 
ened more  or  less,  especially  if  the  horse  is  not 
allowed   to  run  to  pasture,  and  is  fed  on  hard  food 


VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 


149 


such  as  whole  corn  and  oats.  The  molars  do  not 
come  together  near  enough  to  thoroughly  grind  the 
food  and  a  portion  of  it  will  pass  through  the  animal 

undigested.  The  teeth 
should  be  thoroughly  ex- 
amined and  if  they  are  in 
a  proper  condition  and  the 
animal  does  not  bolt  his 
grain,  it  is  perfectly  safe 
to  operate  on  the  incisors. 
The  instruments  nec- 
essary to  operate  on  the 
incisor  teeth  are  the 
curved  incisor  cutters, 
Fig.  34,  and  a  ten  inch 
tooth  rasp.  This  is  made 
in  two  styles,  one  which 
is  straight,  and  another 
as  in  Fig.  35,  which  is 
bent  at  right  angles  at  the 
center.  Either  one  does 
the  work.  I  prefer  the 
straight  one. 

With  the   curved   in- 
Fig.  35.       Fig.  36.     Straight 
Tooth  file.      cutting  forceps,    cisor  cutters  remove  the 

inner  border  of  the  incisor,  and  with  the  straight  in- 
cisor cutter,  Fig.  36,  remove  the  outer  border;  then 
smooth  with  the  rasp,  being  careful  to  keep  the  table 


150  VE  TERINA  R  Y  DEN TAL  SUE  GEE  Y. 

surfaces  so  that  all  the  teeth  will  meet  and  match 
perfectly.  The  operation  is  usually  confined  to  the 
incisors  which  are  abnormally  the  longest,  i.  e.,  if 
the  upper  incisors  are  the  abnormally  longer,  operate 
on  them;  if  the  lower  are  the  longer,  operate  on 
them ;  and  when  the  teeth  of  both  jaws  are  of  equal 
length,  operate  equally  on  both  upper  and  lower.* 
Care,  however,  should  be  observed  and  not  too  much 
removed  or  fracture  of  the  molars  will  result.  They 
will  also  wear  away  much  faster  than  they  would  if 
the  incisor  teeth  are  left  a  proper  length. 

The  operation  is  seldom  necessary,  although  I  am 
am  aware  it  is  often  resorted  to,  as  a  means  of  allaying 
symptoms  which  belong  to  a  vastly  different  affection. 
PROJECTING  TEETH  IN  SHEEP. 

Long  or  projecting  teeth  are  often  the  true  cause 
of  unthriftiness  in  sheep.  They  seem  to  suffer  from 
its  effects  oftener  than  any  other  of  the  domestic 
animals;  yet  there  are  very  few  owners  of  sheep 
who  are  aware  of  this  fact.  Very  few  people 
owning  sheep  ever  think  of  examining  the  molar 
teeth  for  the  purpose  of  determining  the  true  cause 
of  the  unthriftiness  of  portions  of  their  flock.  I 
have  never  had  my  attention  directed  to  this  class 
of  patients  by  the  owner  of  such  animals,  neither 
has  any  one  mentioned  the  subject  to  me  up  to  the 
present  time. 

*  We  should  bear  in  mind  however  that  the  upper  incisors  when  natural 
are  somewhat  longer  than  the  lower. 


VE  TERINA  R  Y  DENT  A  L  S  UR  GER  Y. 


151 


My  observations  have  been  limited,  but  enough 
has  been  seen  fco  convince  me  that  many  dollars' 
worth  of  sheep  die  annually  from  this  cause  alone. 

Not  long  since  I  came  across  three  carcasses  of 
sheep  that  had  died  (did  not  learn  their  history),  all 
of  which  had  suffered  great  emaciation  at  the  time 
of  their  death,  they  then  being  mere  skeletons. 
The  heads  were  removed,  boiled  and  prepared  for 
the  museum.  In  all  were  found  diseased  teeth. 
Fig.  37  and  Fig.  38    are  from    drawings    of     the 

teeth   of  two  of 
them,    the    third 
-V'Hlk  :\\  being     in   the 

IJ^^^^^X    same     condition. 
Since    preparing 
\-:  Ci     '--' ^tzJ^^S?         the  above  speci- 

mens my  obser- 
fig,  37. 
Upper  and  lower  molar  teeth  of  the  vations     on      the 

sheep,  showing  a  projecting  molar.  \xy'xn^      animal 


FIG.   38. 

Lower  molars  of  a  sheep,     a,  a  cavity,  the   result  of  an 
abcess. 


158  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

have  convinced  me  that  long  and  projecting 
teeth  are  the  direct  cause  of  much  unthrif  tiness,  also 
that  thev  are  not  confined  to  old  sheep  alone,  but 
that  thev  do  exist  in  voung  sheep  to  a  greater  or 
less  extent. 

SYMPTOMS. 

There  is  more  or  less  flow  of  saliva,  ropy,  clear 
and  water}';  hanging  of  the  head;  dejected  appear- 
ance. The  affected  animal  will  often  stand  apart 
from  the  rest  of  the  flock ;  after  a  time  there  is 
emaciation  which  gradually  increases  until  the  cause 
is  removed  or  death  takes  place.  The  mouth  will 
be  swollen,  red,  hot  and  tender  to  the  touch.  An 
enlargement  mav  or  may  not  exist  on  the  external 
surface  of  the  jaws.  A  foul,  disagreeable  odor 
will  emanate  from  the  mouth.  There  is  also  a 
stench  of  all  the  buccal  secretions,  due  in  part  to 
the  decomposition  of  the  food  which  lodges  around 
the  projecting  teeth.  Some  animals  quid  their  food, 
others  eat  heartily  for  a  time,  then  stop  suddenly, 
drop  the  food  out  of  the  mouth,  hang  the  head  or 
hold  it  to  one  side ;  others  will  twist  the  head  side- 
wavs  while  feeding,  grinding  all  the  feed  on  one  side. 
TREATMENT. 

The  treatment  will  consist  in  extracting  or  cut- 
ting off  the  projecting  tooth,  the  common  bone  cut- 
ter, Fig.  39,  will  answer  the  purpose  if  cutting 
them   is  deemed   preferable.     When  it  is  necessary 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  153 

to  extract,  the  smaller  extracting  forceps  -will  be 
found  sufficient  for  all  purposes.  The  after  treat- 
ment will  consist  in  keeping  the  mouth  free  from 
offensive  odors  by  the  judicious  use  of  carbolic  acid 
and  water,  and  allowing  soft  food  for  a  few  days. 

PROJECTING  TEETK  IN  HOGS. 
Hogs  sometimes   suffer  from   projecting  molars 
as  well  as  from  long  tusks.      The  tusks  instead   of 
growing   outside   of    the  lips,  grow  upon  the  inside, 


Fig.  39.     Bone  cutter, 
press  against  them,  cutting  deep  cavities,  so  that  the 
animal  will  be  unable  to  take  his  feed.     There  -will 
be    gradual   emaciation   with   symptoms    similar    to 
those  of  other  animals  which  are  affected  in  a  similar 

manner. 

TREATMENT, 

The  treatment  will  consist  in  removing  the  offend- 
ing teeth  in  a  manner  already  described  for  similar 
defects  of  other  animals. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 
LONG,  SHARP  AND   PROJECTING  EDGES. 

THEIR  CAUSE,  EFFECTS  AND  REMOVAL SPECIAL  OPERA- 
TIONS —  SIDE  LINING  —  SHYING  —  RUNAWAYS  —  METHOD 
OF  OPERATING  FOR  EACH. 

Horses  of  all  ages  suffer  more  or  less  from  long, 
sharp  and  projecting  points  which  are  often  found 
on  the  molar  teeth.  They  are  situated  on  the  inside 
of  the  lower  and  on  the  outside  of  the  upper  molars, 
and  also  occasionally,  but  rarely,  on  the  inside  of 
the  upper  molars.  They  vary  much  in  size  and 
shape,  some  being  small  and  blunt,  while  others  are 
long  and  very  thin  and  sharp.  The  injury  they  pro- 
duce will  be  in  proportion  to  their  length  and  the  thin- 
ness of  their  edges  or  the  sharpness  of  their  points. 

The  external  surface  of  each  upper  tooth  usually 
contains  two  of  these  projections,  which  correspond 
with  the  ridges  already  described  as  running  from 
the  table  surface  to  the  roots  of  these  teeth. 

The  internal  surface  of  the  lower  molars  also 
contains  two  sharp  projections,  which  usually  are 
much  shorter  though  sharper  than  those  on  the 
upper  teeth. 

These  projections  are  the  result  of  limited  lateral 
motion  of  the  lower  jaw.  In  masticating  its  food 
154 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  155 

the  animal  works  the  lower  jaw  from  side  to  side. 
Unless  this  motion  is  extensive  enough  to  bring  the 
whole  table  surface  into  wear,  a  portion  of  the  tooth 
will  not  be  worn  away. 

In  some  animals  the  width  of  the  upper  jaw 
(which  is  always  wider  than  the  lower),  exceeds 
that  of  the  lower  to  such  an  extent  that  it  amounts 
to  a  malformation.  Cases  of  this  kind  have  come 
to  my  notice  where  only  half  of  each  row  of  teeth 
came  into  wear,  and  that  portion  remaining  out  of 
wear  had  become  so  long  that  it  bruised  and  lacer- 
ated the  gums  of  the  opposite  jaw.  The  lower 
teeth  passing  inside  the  upper  had  cut  deep  cavities 
into  the  palatine  processes. 

This  defect  may  exist  in  both  the  right  and  left 
side,  or  on  one  side  only.  I  have  seen  two  instances 
where  the  latter  condition  was  present  in  the  living 
animal. 

Case  i.  A.  sorrel  gelding,  the  property  of  a 
Mr.  Williams,  Goodland,  Ind.  The  left  lower  row 
of  teeth  was  inclined  inwards  as  well  as  upwards ; 
their  internal  surface  not  coming  into  wear,  had 
continued  to  increase  in  length  until  they  penetrated 
the  palatine  processes.  The  external  surfaces  of  the 
lower  molars  were  worn  down  to  the  gums.  A 
like  reverse  condition  was  present  in  the  upper 
molars;  the  inside  of  them  being  worn  away  while 
the  outside  had  attained  sufficient  length  to  lacerate 


156  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

the  external  surface  of  the  gums  opposite  the  lower 
molars.  These  sharp  projections  were  removed 
with  the  tooth  shears.  The  animal  although  much 
emaciated,  rapidly  gained  in  flesh,  and  when  last 
heard  from  was  doing  well. 

Case    ii.      A    brown    mare,    the    property    of 

Mr. ,   Bangor,  Michigan,   to   which  I    had  my 

attention  directed,  had  suffered  from  a  diseased 
mouth  for  two  years  (she  being  at  the  time  seven 
years  old).  There  was  a  constant  dripping  of  a 
ropy  saliva,  presenting  a  disagreeable  odor,  accom- 
panied by  great  emaciation.  An  examination  of  the 
mouth  found  the  fifth  and  sixth  molar  teeth  of  both 
upper  and  lower  jaw  similar  to  those  in  case  i,  the 
inclination  of  the  sixth  molars  being  much  more 
marked  than  in  the  fifth.  The  sixth  molars  of  both 
jaws  were  cut  close  to  the  gums  while  the  fifth  were 
dressed  down  even  with  the  teeth  in  front  of  them. 
Extraction  of  the  sixth  molars  is  preferable  in  cases 
where  the  teeth  in  front  of  them  retain  their  natural 
position. 

*  There  is  in  the  museum  of  the  College  at 
Alfort,  a  horse's  head  in  which  this  deformity  may 
be  seen  in  its  greatest  degree.  The  tables  of  the 
teeth  at  the  right  side  form  planes  so  much  inclined 
that  they  close  together  like  the  blades  of  shears. 
As  there  was  no  friction  to  wear  the  teeth  down, 


*  Clark,  Horses'  Teeth,  Page  14?, 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  157 

they  grew  to  the  height  of  three  inches.  The 
fourth  and  fifth  teeth  of  the  right  side  of  this  rare 
anatomical  specimen  are  absent.  Perhaps  they  were 
carious.  The  rarefied  and  spongy  tissue  of  the 
socket  bones  indicate  the  seat  of  an  alteration, — prob- 
ably caries — which  was  the  point  of  departure  of 
the  general  tumefaction.  The  last  tooth  by  its 
oblique  direction  towards  the  empty  sockets,  indi- 
cates that  the  loss  of  the  teeth  occurred  during  the 
life  of  the  animal,  some  time  perhaps  prior  to  its 
death.  The  defect  of  the  right  side  doubtless  forced 
the  animal  to  use  the  left  for  the  purpose  of  masti- 
cation. In  such  cases  the  teeth  that  do  not  wear, 
grow  till  they  reach  their  respective  opposite  jaws, 
even  when  those  at  the  opposite  side  of  the  mouth 
are  in  exact  contact,  an  anomaly  never  produced  in 
the  normal  state.  The  function  of  mastication  oper- 
ates according  to  the  obliquity  of  contact  and  paral- 
lelism is  established  by  friction  between  the  tables 
which  normally  would  be  superposed." 

The  following  case  was  reported  in  the  American 
Veterinary  Review  Vol.  IX.,  p.  321 : 

IRREGULAR  WEARING  IN   THE   MOLARS    OF    A 
HORSE— NECROSIS  OF  THE  PALATINE  BONE. 

DESCRIPTION  OF  A  SPECIMEN  PRESENTED  BY  B.  MC  INNESS, 
JR.  V.  S.,  TO  THE  MUSEUM  OF  THE  AMERICAN  VETERIN- 
ARY COLLEGE.  BY  J.  SCHRIEBLER,  D.  V.  S.,  CURATOR  OF 
THE  MUSEUM. 

"  The  preparation  exhibited  was  the  head  of  an 
old  horse  which  had  been  the  property  of  an   aged 


158  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

South  Carolina  negro.  When  death  occurred  the 
horse  had  become  so  emaciated  that  his  appearance 
was  almost  like  that  of  an  animal  which  had  died  of 
starvation.  The  condition  of  the  teeth  to  a  great 
extent  explained  this  fact,  and  showed  the  difficulty 
the  animal  must  have  experienced  in  masticating  his 
fodder.  The  molars  of  the  left  side  on  both  jaws 
were  about  normal,  but  those  of  the  right  presented 
a  very  peculiar  aspect,  due  to  an  irregularity  in  the 
wearing  process,  which  instead  of  taking  place  flat- 
wise had  affected  the  teeth  in  their  length.  Those 
of  the  upper  jaw  were  worn  from  above  down- 
wards and  from  the  inner  side  outwards,  in  such  a 
manner  that  while  the  outer  surface  of  the  teeth 
measures  over  two  inches,  the  inner  surfaces  meas- 
ure scarcely  half  an  inch,  this  being  about  the  nor- 
mal length  of  the  teeth.  This  irregularity  is  per- 
fectly smooth  on  the  inner  surface  for  the  first  four 
molars,  but  irregular  on  the  fifth,  which  is  angular. 
These  teeth  and  the  last  have  undergone  less  wear- 
ing. On  the  same  jaw  the  palate  bone  was  already 
undergoing  necrosis,  and  showed  in  the  center  a 
perforated  appearance  and  a  depression  towards 
the  back.  This  condition  of  the  palate  bone  is  due 
to  the  action  of  the  molars  of  the  lower  jaw.  In 
that  region  the  left  molars  are  also  healthy,  but  on 
the  right  side  the  first,  second  and  third  have  under- 
gone a  process  of  wearing,  corresponding  to  that  of 


VE TERINAR  Y  DEN TAL  SURGER T.  159 

the  upper  jaw,  but  in  an  inverse  direction.  The 
third  one  which  has  a  length  of  nearly  two  and  one- 
half  inches  has  produced  the  depression  in  the  palate. 
The  fourth,  fifth  and  sixth  molars  are  missing  in  the 
specimen.  It  is  probable  that  the  fourth  was  lost  in 
preparing  the  head,  but  there  is  no  doubt  that  the 
fifth  and  sixth  "were  lost  during  life,  as  can  be  seen 
by  the  wearing  out  of  the  outside  surface  of  the 
alveolar  cavities,  and  their  almost  complete  disap- 
pearance. This  is  the  second  case  of  this  kind  that 
has  come  under  our  observation.  The  first  however, 
was  more  complete,  as  the  irregularity  of  the  teeth 
existed  on  both  sides  and  both  jaws.  When  the 
animal  died  all  the  teeth  were  not  only  found  on 
both  sides  of  both  jaws,  but  the  animal  presented 
also  an  abnormality  in  the  number  of  teeth,  having 
twenty-eight  instead  of  twenty-four  molars.  This 
irregular  condition  of  the  teeth  furnishes  a  ready 
explanation  of  the  difficulty  of  mastication,  and  can 
scarcely  be  relieved,  except  by  bestowing  a  degree 
of  attention  to  the  organs  which  it  is  not  yet  usual 
to  bestow  on  animals." 

The  sixth  molar  of  either  jaw,  may  and  often  does, 
extend  back  of  the  corresponding  one  of  the  oppo- 
site jaw  and  when  such  a  condition  exists,  the  pro- 
jecting portion  not  coming  into  wear,  is  continually 
increasing  in  length,  by  being  projected  outwards 
until  it  wounds  the  opposite  jaw.     This  condition  is 


160 


VETERINAR  Y  DENTAL  SURGER  Y. 


present  more  frequently  than  is  generally  supposed ; 
and  when  present  is  most  often  found  in  connection 
with  the  sixth  molar  of  the  lower  jaw.  These  points 
should  be  removed.  It  may  be  accomplish- 
ed in  the  same  manner  as  other  sharp  and 
projecting  points.  The  wounds  made  by 
these  projecting  points  often  become  very 
f\  troublesome,  and  remain  for  a  long  time 
after  the  cause  has  been  removed.  To  fa- 
cilitate their  healing,  touch  them  with  a 
stick  of  nitrate  of  silver  (lunar  caustic) 
once  a  day  for  two  or  three  days,  or  a  wash 
composed  of  alum,  sulphate  of  zinc  (white 
vitriol),  and  distilled  water  may  be  used. 
The  nitrate  of  silver  is  preferable  and 
most  easily  applied.  Keep  the  animal  on 
soft  food  for  a  few  days  and  occasionally 
cleanse  the  parts  with  a  soft  sponge. 

TREATMENT. 
In  removing  the  sharp  projecting  edges, 
either  the  rasp  and  closed  molar  cutters,  or 
I  the  rasp  alone  may  be  used.  The  closed 
molar  cutter,  Fig.  40,  is  an  excellent 
Fig.  40.  instrument  for  facilitating  the  work. 
^ar^utSr.'  The  outside  of  the  upper  and  the  inside 
of  the  lower  molars  may  be  clipped  and  then 
smoothed  with  the  tooth  rasp,  Fig.  41.  There 
is    practically    no   danger    of    fracturing    the    teeth 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  161 

with  the  cutters  if  judiciously  handled,  and 
not  allowed  to  grasp  too  much  of  the  tooth. 

The  plates  of  the  tooth  rasp  if  separate 
can  be  removed  and  new  ones  substituted  at 
(any  time  when  the  old  ones  become  worn 
out.  Fig.  42  represents  one  of  these  rasps. 
For  convenience  in  carrying,  the  handles 
may  be  made  with  a  joint  so  that  they  can 
be  separated. 

If  it  is  not  deemed  advisable  to  use  the 
cutter,  a  rasp  which  is  punched  will  cut 
away  the  tooth  much  faster  than  a  cut  rasp, 
but  its  use  should  be  followed  by  a  smooth 
rasp. 

SPECIAL  OPERATIONS. 

Horses  which  are  put  to  different  uses  re- 
quire operations  on  their  teeth  that  will  fit 
them  for  the  work  which  they  are  required  to 
perform.  We  should  aim  to  put  the  teeth  in 
such  a  condition  that  they  will  not  lacerate  the 
tongue  and  cheeks.  In  trotting  and  running 
horses  which  often  get  excited,  or  that  have 
the  bit  frequently  shifted,  there  is  a  tendency 
to  cut  the  cheek  opposite  the  first  upper  or 
house's  lower  molar.     This  is  very  often  prolonged 

REVERSI-  ,  ,  , 

ble  RASP.to  sucn  an  extent  that  the  animal  becomes  un- 
manageable and  utterly  useless  for  the  work  he  was 
intended  to  perform.     If  such  a  condition  is  present  in 


FIG.    41 


162 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGER1 . 


a  trotting  or  running  horse  they  will  not  take 
hold  of  the  bit  freely.  Sometimes  they 
"bolt,"  pull  on  one  line,  run  into  the  fence, 
stop  short  or  perhaps  collide  with  another 
animal  and  injure  both. 

In  operating  on  horses  of  this  kind  it  is 
best  to  cut  the  first  molar,  usually  the  lower, 
well  down  and  in  some  instances  the  second 
molar  should  also  be  slanted  from  before 
backwards  and  upwards.  The  teeth  are 
then  to  be  rounded  from  side  to  side  and 
left  as  smooth  as  possible,  so  that  the  tongue 
and  cheeks,  though  they  are  drawn  between 
them,  will  not  be  injured. 

The  driver  or  rider  of  a  horse  should 
always  be  consulted  about  the  actions  of  a 
horse  while  at  work,  before  the  operation  is 
performed.  They  are  an  element  which 
should  not  and  can  not  be  ignored  by  the 
veterinary  dentist  if  he  wishes  to  be  suc- 
cessful in  relieving  the  symptoms  for  which 
he  operates.  Sometimes  an  operation  is 
needed  on  one  side  of  the  mouth  only;  in 
such  cases,  cutting  down  the  teeth  on  both 
sides  would  be  as  bad,  if  not  worse,  than  no 

fig.  42.  operation  at  all. 
house's 
reversi-        Horses  that  are  in  the  habit    of  running 

BLERASP, 

jointed,  away  while  being  driven,  in  the  majority  of 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 


163 


cases  can  be  entirely  cured  of  this  habit,  by  cutting 
away  or  extracting  the  first  lower  molar.  By  doing 
so  it  deprives  them  of  a  solid  support  for  the  bit  which 
will  then  draw  directly  against  the 
angle  of  the  mouth.  Before  op- 
erating in  the  above  manner 
(which  should  be  as  a  last  resort 
only),  it  is  well  to  examine  the 
edges  of  the  molars,  and  if  rough, 
dress  them  down  smooth. 

Another  very  disagreeable 
habit,  the  result  of  sharp  teeth  and 
which  can  be  entirely  remedied,  is 
known  as  "side  lining"  or  "side 
pulling."  It  consists  in  the  horse 
carrying  his  head  to  one  side,  or 
pulling  harder  on  one  rein  than  on 
the  other  while  being  ridden  or 
driven.  Horses  addicted  to  this 
habit  are  known  as  "side  liners" 
or  "side  pullers." 

The    first    step  in  remedying 

this  defect  is  to  dress  the  inside  of 

fig.  43.  Pair  of  han-  the  lower  molars  and  the  outside 
dies  for  extracting  for- 
ceps and  molar  cutters  of   the  upper  ones.      If  this  does 

not  have   the    desired    effect,    cut    off  a  portion    of 

the  lower    first    molar,  on    the    side    opposite  from 

that  towards  which  he  carries   his   head.     That  is, 


164  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

if  the  horse  carries  his  head  towards  the  right  side, 
cut  the  tooth  on  the  left  side  and  vice  versa.  This 
removes  the  bearing  and  the  head  will  then  be  car- 
ried in  a  natural  position. 

I  usually  place  the  cutters  close  to  the  gums  of 
the  lower  molar  on  which  I  wish  to  operate  and  then 
cut  backwards  and  upwards.  The  amount  of  tooth 
which  I  remove  depends  upon  the  age  of  the  animal 
and  the  persistence  with  which  he  throws  his  head 
to  one  side. 

In  using  the  cutter  place  them  squarely  upon  the 
tooth  and  cut  it  off  without  shifting  or  twisting 
them.  By  so  doing  you  will  avoid  fracturing  the 
tooth,  which  sometimes  does  occur  if  the  forceps  are 
worked  from  side  to  side. 

It  is  claimed  that  sharp  points  with  other  irregu- 
larities of  the  teeth  cause  a  horse  to  shy.  I  will  "say 
that  as  far  as  my  experience  extends,  I  have  never 
been  able  to  trace  a  single  case  of  shying  to  such 
conditions,  neither  have  I  ever  stopped  shying  by 
operating  on  the  teeth,  unless  the  horse  was  a  "side 
puller."  It  has  been  my  experience  that  when  such 
horses  shy  it  always  is  from  an  object  towards  which 
the  horse  turns  his  head  (i.  e.,  if  a  horse  turns  his 
head  towards  the  right  he  shies  away  from  an  object 
on  the  right).  I  have  had  three  such  horses  as 
drivers,  and  they  invariably  shied  in  the  same  direc- 
tion, and  that   as   above  described. 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGER2'.  165 

The  shying  in  such  cases  is  undoubtedly  due  to 
imperfect  glimpses  of  objects  on  that  side,  for  in  all 
three  cases  of  my  own,  when  the  teeth  had  been 
operated  upon  so  that  the  horse  carried  his  head 
straight  the  shying  disappeared.  Shying  however, 
is  not  always  due  to  the  above  cause.  It  is  some- 
times due  to  congenital  malformation  of  the  eye, 
such  as  near-sightedness  or  partial  blindness. 
REPETITION  OF  THE   OPERATION. 

With  regard  to  the  frequency  with  which  the  op- 
eration will  have  to  be  repeated,  much  will  depend 
upon  the  conformation  of  the  mouth,  and  work  which 
the  animal  perforins.  Some  need  to  have  the  opera- 
tion repeated  every  six  months  to  a  year ;  others  every 
two  or  three  years,  while  others  never  have  to 
undergo  an  operation.  In  some  animals  the  teeth 
come  into  perfect  wear;  in  such,  an  operation  is  never 
needed. 

It  has  been  found  that  many  animals  thrive  better 
and  take  less  feed  if  their  teeth  are  regularly  cared  for. 
METHOD  OF  OPERATING. 

In  order  to  perform  any  of  the  above  opera- 
tions, in  fact,  any  operation  on  the  mouth  or  head, 
it  is  not  necessary  to  cast  or  confine  the  animal 
in  any  manner  except  an  occasional  case.  The 
old  idea  that  a  horse  had  to  be  cast  for  almost 
every  operation,  I  am  pleased  to  say  is  rapidly  grow- 
ing into  disfavor  in   this  country.     For  this  we  are 


166  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

indebted  to  C.  D.  House  (now  deceased),  the  em- 
inent veterinary  dentist,  who  was  the  first  to  op- 
erate upon  horses'  teeth  without  using  a  gag  or 
confining  the  most  vicious  animals  in  any  manner. 
As  far  back  as  1875-7  we  ^no-  Mr.  House's  mode  of 
operating  very  unique.  He  used  no  gag  and  left  the 
animals  to  stand  free,  passing  his  hands  over  the 
teeth  of  the  most  vicious  horses  without  being  bitten. 
Since  that  time  the  number  using  his  methods  in 
operating  has  gradually  increased,  until  at  the  present 
time  (1889),  there  are  about  twenty-five  in  this 
country  who  have  become  expert  veterinary  dentists. 
In  operating,  all  that  is  necessary  in  most  cases 
is  to  back  the  animal  into  a  narrow  stall,  or  the  corner 
of  a  box  stall  where  he  can  not  turn  around.  The 
assistant  should  then  place  one  hand  over  the  nose 
of  the  animal,  far  enough  up  so  that  it  will  not  inter- 
fere with  respiration,  either  taking  hold  of  the  ear 
with  the  other  hand  or  placing  it  over  the  poll.  In 
this  manner  he  will  be  able  to  steady  the  head  and 
prevent  any  sudden  movement  on  the  part  of  the 
horse.  For  trephining  all  that  is  necessary  in  addi- 
tion to  the  above  is  the  application  of  the  twitch  to 
the  upper  lip.  Always  handle  the  animal  quietly, 
allow  no  boisterous  noise  or  sudden  movements. 
Endeavor  to  finish  the  work  as  soon  as  is  consistent  in 
a  workmanlike  manner.  After  the  teeth  have  been 
placed  in  satisfactory  shape  take  the  bone  spoon  and 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  167 

remove  all  the  tartar,  finishing  up  with  the  brush. 
The  importance  of  this  will  become  evident  after 
reading  the  chapter  on  Salivary  Calculi  (tartar). 

Exercise  good  judgment  in  the  use  of  the  tooth 
shears,  lest  fracture  of  the  teeth  take  place.  There 
is  but  little  danger  of  fracture  in  good  sound  teeth ; 
but  where  the  teeth  are  very  brittle,  as  they  are  in 
some  animals,  fracture  may  readily  occur. 
PARROT  MOUTH. 

Parrot  mouth  is  a  deformity  which  is  frequently 
noticed  and  consists  in  the  upper  incisor  teeth  pro- 
jecting in  front  and  overhanging  the  lower  incisors. 
The  incisor  teeth  do  not  come  into  wear  and  as  a 
result  they  gradually  increase  in  length  beyond  the 
gums.  In  some  cases  the  lower  incisors  come  in 
contact  with  the  bars  in  the  roof  of  the  mouth  lacer- 
ating them  and  eventually  producing  serious  results. 
The  animal  will  fall  away  in  flesh  presenting  an 
emaciated  appearance  and  may  eventually  die  of 
starvation,  even  in  the  midst  of  plenty. 

A  horse  with  a  parrot  mouth  will  feed  well  enough 
from  the  manger;  but  if  turned  out  to  pasture,  ex- 
periences much  difficulty  in  collecting  the  food. 

If  the  lower  incisors  wound  the  roof  of  the 
mouth  they  may  be  dressed  down  with  the  incisor 
cutters  and  the  rasp.  If  the  upper  incisors  wound 
the  lower  lip  they  should  be  operated  upon  in  the 
same  manner. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  LOWER  JAW— INJURIES  FROM 
HEAVY  CURB   BIT. 

Disease  of  the  lower  jaw  sometimes  exists  which 
calls  for  the  use  of  the  trephine;  such  as  carious 
teeth,  necrosed  bone  and  superficial  fractures  where 
a  small  portion  of  bone  has  been  partially  or  com- 
pletely separated  by  external  violence. 

In  using  the  trephine  on  the  lower  jaw  great 
care  must  be  exercised,  for  the  bone  here  is  thin, 
hard  and  easily  fractured.  If  the  opening  by  the 
trephine  is  made  in  the  lower  border  of  the  jaw  a 
five-eighths  trephine  is  as  large  as  should  be  used. 
If  the  opening  is  made  on  the  side  a  larger  instru- 
ment may  be  employed  with  safety. 

To  remove  the  first,  second,  third,  fourth  and 
sometimes  fifth  lower  molars,  the  opening  for  that 
purpose  will  be  more  convenient  if  made  directly 
under  the  roots  of  the  tooth.  For  the  sixth  and 
sometimes  the  fifth  the  opening  should  be  made  into 
the  side  opposite  the  end  of  the  fang  of  the  tooth. 
It  can  then  be  readily  driven  out  with  the  curved 
punch  in  Fig.  51.  In  trephining  for  the  fourth, 
fifth  and  sixth  lower  molars  the  opening  should  not 
be  made  indiscriminately.     Care  must  be  taken  not 

168 


VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER T.  169 

to  wound  either  Steno's  duct  or  the  submaxillary 
artery.  Division  of  the  former  will  result  in  a 
fistula  of  the  duct  and  the  latter  will  cause  more  or 
less  trouble  before  the  haemorrhage  can  be  stopped. 
Should  the  latter  condition  occur  the  artery  may  be 
taken  up  and  ligated,  or  it  may  be  twisted  and  held 
for  a  moment  when  the  bleeding  will  have  been 
completely  checked.  After  the  operation  of  tre- 
phining has  been  completed,  should  the  muscle 
which  has  been  divided  at  the  side  of  the  jaw  close 
the  opening  so  that  the  pus  which  forms  cannot 
escape  freely,  a  portion  of  it  may  be  excised.  The 
insertion  of  a  large  drainage  tube  will  convey  any 
matter  which  forms,  and  is  perhaps  preferable.  The 
tube  will  have  to  be  removed  at  each  dressing  of  the 
wound  and  if  again  inserted  should  be  thoroughly 
cleansed.  It  is  best  however  to  use  new  tubing  at 
each  dressing. 

vSuperficial  fracture  and  necrosis  of  the  lower 
jaw  occurs  very  frequently  and  may  be  due  to  a 
variety  of  causes.  On  this  subject  Professor  Wil- 
liams says :  "  Superficial  fractures  of  the  lower  jaw 
occur  from  severe  curbs  and  bits;  anteriorally  and 
from  within  the  mouth  from  the  bit,  posteriorally 
and  under  the  jaw  from  the  curb." 

SYMPTOMS  FROM    INJURIES  OF  THE  BIT. 

Dribbling  of  saliva  from  or  foaming  in  the  mouth. 
Animal  shy  or  perhaps  vicious  if  the  mouth  is  touched ; 


170  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

inability  to  bear  the  introduction  of  the  bit;  difficulty 
in  masticating  the  food;  perhaps  hemorrhage  from 
the  mouth,  or  saliva  streaked  with  blood.  Upon 
examination  the  buccal  membrane  will  be  found 
bruised,  inflamed  and  swollen  with  perhaps  a  piece 
of  bone  sticking  through  it. 

TREATMENT. 
Remove  the  small  fragments.  As  the  frac- 
ture is  superficial  no  bandaging  is  required,  but 
the  animal  must  not  be  bitted  until  the  parts  are 
completely  healed  and  hardened,  or  he  will  have 
a  bad  or  weak  mouth  ever  afterwards ;  indeed  some 
horses  that  I  have  seen  never  allow  a  bit  to  be  put 
in  their  mouths  again  without  great  struggling 
and  resistance.  The  animal  should  be  fed  upon  soft 
diet  for  some  days  after  the  injury  and  the  wound 
examined  occasionally,  or  portions  of  bran,  hay  or 
corn  are  apt  to  lodge  in  it,  causing  irritation  and 
retarding  the  healing  process.  If  the  wound  dis- 
charge a  fetid  material  it  should  be  syringed  with  a 
weak  solution  of  carbolic  acid;  in  any  case  the  mouth 
may  be  washed  with  this  two  or  three  times  a  day. 
SYMPTOMS  FROM  FRACTURE  BY  THE  CURB. 
Swelling  and  tenderness  of  ramus  immediately  in 
front  of  the  curb;  sinuses  shortly  form,  and  within 
them  loose  pieces  of  necrosed  bone  may  be  detected 
by  the  probe.  The  discharge  is  curdled,  fetid,  but 
not  very  profuse.     In  some  of  these  cases  there  is  no 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT.  171 

primary  fracture,  but  necrosis  of  the  superficial  layer 
of  bony  tissue,  arising  from  continued  and  severe 
pressure  producing  periostitis,  gangrene  of  the  peri- 
osteum, the  death  of  the  bone  from  the  pressure  and 
non-supply  of  blood  to  that  part  of  it  is  covered  by  the 
gangrenous  periosteum.  In  other  cases  a  bony 
tumor  forms  here  as  a  result  of  periostitis,  and  of 
increased  thickness  of  the  superficial  layer  of  bone 
(hyperostosis). 

TREATMENT. 

In  the  first  and  second  forms  of  injury,  it  is 
necessary  to  remove  the  fragments  of  bone, 
whether  they  are  necrosed  or  not.  It  is  a  waste 
of  time  to  allow  them  to  be  removed  by  ex- 
foliation. The  method  which  I  recommend  is  to 
slit  up  the  skin,  and  carefully  scrape  the  diseased 
surface.  If  this  be  done  the  cure  may  be  effected  in 
a  very  short  time.  If  the  necrosis  is  very  superficial 
one  or  two  applications  of  dilute  hydrochloric  acid 
will  effectually  remove  it,  and  render  unnecessary 
the  performance  of  an  operation.  Common-sense 
will  convince  the  reader,  that  the  cause,  namely  the 
severe  curb,  must  not  again  be  applied. 

In  the  third  form  of  injury,  namely,  the  hyper- 
ostosis, all  the  treatment  necessary  is  the  remo- 
val of  the  cause  and  the  application  of  soothing 
remedies,  succeeded  by  frictions  with  iodine  oint- 
ment, 


172  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

Fig.  44  represents   a 
piece  of    necrosed    bone 
which  was   removed   from 
the  jaw  of  a  horse,  the  prop- 
FIG'  4+'  erty  of  Burt  and  Patterson, 

^r^Jl£Z°^  'he  author,  September 
lower  jaw  of  a  horse.  '  2nd,  1 888.      The   following 

symptoms  were  presented  when  the  horse  was 
brought  to  the  infirmary:  There  was  hanging  of 
the  head,  eyes  partially  closed,  clear  ropy  saliva  in 
great  quantities  flowing  from  the  mouth  possessing 
a  disagreeable  and  offensive  odor. 

On  examining  the  mouth  a  large  soft  puffy 
swelling  was  discovered  just  in  front  of  the  first  left 
lower  molar.  This  swelling  was  soft,  pulpy,  clear 
and  watery-looking.  When  I  endeavored  to  press 
it  between  the  fingers  it  gave  way,  a  portion  of  it 
being  easily  removed  with  the  fingers.  On  coming 
in  contact  with  the  bone  the  piece  represented  in  the 
cut  was  found  loose.  It  had  entirely  exfoliated. 
After  its  removal  the  bone  was  scraped  and  thor- 
oughly cleansed  with  a  strong  solution  of  carbolic 
acid  and  water.  The  dressings  were  continued  daily. 
Recovery  took  place  very  rapidly. 

The  disease  was  caused  by  a  common  bit,  the 
driver  having  been  in  the  habit  of  jerking  on  the 
rein.  All  cases  of  a  similar  nature  do  not  heal  so 
rapidly ;  some  break  out  the  second  and  even  a  third 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  173 

time,  owing  to  only  a  partial  removal  of  the  diseased 
bone.  To  insure  success,  every  particle  of  diseased 
tissue  must  be  removed. 

Sometimes  there  are  tumors  of  variable  sizes 
located  in  front  of  the  first  lower  molar  teeth,  which 
would  lead  one  to  suspect  superficial  fracture  or 
necrosis  of  the  bone.  If  an  abscess  forms  the  matter 
that  escapes  will  indicate  the  true  nature  of  the 
lesion.  If  it  is  of  a  dirty  brown  color,  very  fetid, 
and  containing  small  particles  of  bone,  then  we  are 
sure  of  a  diseased  condition  of  the  bone,  but  if  from 
a  sub-cutaneous  abscess,  the  discharge  will  be  like 
that  of  an  ordinary  abscess  in  any  other  part  of  the 
body.  If  the  latter  form  be  present  a  speedy  cure 
will  follow  simple  dressings  and  cleanliness.  If  the 
former  condition  be  present  the  case  will  become 
tedious  unless  every  particle  of  diseased  bone  has 
been  removed. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
CRIBBING— CAUSES,  EFFECTS  AND  TREATMENT 

Cribbing  is  a  condition  which  may  be  considered 
as  a  vice  or  habit  rather  than  a  disease.  It  consists 
in  the  horse  laying  hold  of  any  stationary  object 
with  the  teeth,  such  as  a  manger,  post,  fence,  gate, 
etc.,  and  violently  extending  his  neck,  and  then  after 
a  convulsive  action  of  the  throat  a  grunting  sound  is 
heard,  accompanied  by  a  gulping  in  and  swallowing 
of  air. 

CAUSES. 

Many  theories  have  been  advanced  with  regard 
to  the  cause  of  this  vice.  Some  maintain  that  it  is 
due  to  indigestion,  others  to  the  closeness  of  the 
incisor  teeth,  while  some  attribute  it  to  a  combina- 
tion of  both  conditions.  Others  to  idleness.  The 
latter,  with  heredity,  undoubtedly  is  the  main  cause 
and  most  cases  occurring  could  be  traced  directly 
to  them  if  pains  were  taken  to  investigate  their 
origin.  I  can  call  to  mind  a  cribbing  mare  whose 
progeny,  three  foals  to  the  cover  of  as  many  stal- 
lions, were  cribbers  before  they  were  old  enough  to 
be  put  to  work.  To  me  this  is  a  clear  case  of 
heredity  and  one  which  has  not  been  dependent  upon 

174 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT.         175 

any  other  circumstances  which  are  calculated  to  in- 
duce the  vice.  Well  fed  vigorous  colts  sometimes 
get  fretful  and  bite  or  lick  the  manger,  eventually 
contracting  the  habit.  With  some  animals  it  seems 
to  be  natural ;  they  evidently  derive  much  pleasure 
from  the  habit. 

The  effects  of  cribbing  are  various.  The  teeth 
are  worn  away  and  occasionally  broken,  so  much  so 
in  aged  horses  that  they  graze  with  difficulty. 
The  grain  is  often  wasted  by  dropping  from  the 
mouth  into  the  manger  or  upon  the  floor.  Diges- 
tion is  impaired  through  the  loss  of  saliva  which 
escapes.  The  stomach  and  intestines  become  dis- 
tended with  gas  inducing  colic,  chronic  indiges- 
tion and  sometimes  acute  indigestion,  lowering 
the  condition  of  the  animal  and  eventually  produc- 
ing death. 

All  animals  however  do  not  suffer  from  colic  and 
indigestion;  indeed,  some  remain  healthy,  fat  and 
sleek  notwithstanding  they  may  be  addicted  to  the 
vice  in  the  severest  form. 

Wind-sucking  constitutes  another  vice  equally  as 
bad  if  not  worse  than  cribbing.  It  consists  in  simply 
gathering  air  into  the  mouth,  extending  the  head, 
arching  the  neck,  gathering  the  feet  together  and 
gulping  down  the  air.  It  differs  from  cribbing  in 
that  the  animal  does  not  grasp  any  object  with  the 
teeth. 


1 76  VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 

TREATMENT. 

Cribbing  and  wind-sucking  constitute  a  decided 
unsoundness  and  are  incurable  when  once  thor- 
oughly established.  Were  the  vice  due  to  pres- 
sure of  the  incisor  teeth  against  each  other,  the  ex- 
traction of  one  or  two  of  them  would  certainly 
remove  the  cause  and  be  followed  by  a  cessation  of 
the  habit.  Some  surgeons  claim  to  have  entirely 
dispelled  the  vice  in  young  animals  when  first  noticed 
by  the  extraction  of  one  or  more  teeth.  I  have 
operated  in  that  way  (as  an  experiment),  under  like 
conditions  on  the  teeth  of  several  horses,  but  have 
never  been  able  to  entirely  stop  the  habit.  Sawing 
between  the  teeth  can  have  no  possible  effect  in 
breaking  up  the  vice,  although  it  is  frequently 
resorted  to  for  that  purpose.  A  neck  strap  buckled 
tightly  around  the  throat  while  the  animal  is  in  the 
harness  will  act  temporarily  in  checking  the  habit, 
but  has  no  good  effect  whatever  when  removed,  but 
on  the  contrary  will  press  on  the  throat  and  produce 
roaring  in  some  instances. 

To  prevent  the  vice  give  the  horse  something  to 
do.  Do  not  keep  him  tied  in  the  stall  from  one  week 
to  another,  but  turn  out  and  give  plenty  of  exer- 
cise. 

*"  Horses  which  are  crib-biters  or  wind-suckers 
are  to  be  considered  as  unsound,  as  the  vices  generally 


*  Williams'  Practice  of  Surgery,  Page  540. 


VETERINART  DENTAL  SURGERY.         177 

arise  from  or  cause  indigestion,  induce  colic,  tend  to 
lower  condition  and  to  depress  the  vital  powers. 

A  crib-biter  seizes  the  manger  or  some  other 
fixture — the  collar-shank  when  nothing  else  can  be 
taken  hold  of — with  his  teeth,  arches  his  neck  and 
makes  a  belching  noise.  After  a  time  the  abdomen 
becomes  evidently  enlarged.  Many  crib-biters  thrive 
moderately  well,  whilst  others  are  always  unthrifty, 
dry  in  the  coat  and  hide-bound.  Some  practitioners 
maintain  that  air  is  swallowed  during  the  act,  whilst 
others  state  that  gas  is  expelled  from  the  stomach, 
and  that  the  continual  belching  or  eructation  causes 
further  derangement  of  the  stomach,  the  increased 
formation  of  gases  and  the  consequent  tympanitis.  I 
was  at  first  disposed  to  think  that  the  first  opinion 
was  the  correct  one,  as  it  is  quite  possible  for  air 
mixed  with  saliva  to  be  swallowed,  but  further 
experience  inclines  me  to  the  latter ;  namely,  that 
gases  are  expelled,  and  that  increased  disorder  of  the 
stomach  are  induced  by  the  habit.  A  chronic  crib- 
biter  may  be  easily  recognized  by  the  appearance  of 
the  incisor  teeth  which  are  worn  and  rounded  at  their 
anterior  borders,  and  by  an  enlarged  or  hypertrophied 
condition  of  the  muscles  which  depress  the  jaw,  the 
sterno-maxillaris,  stylo  maxillaris,  etc.,  and  generally 
by  the  mark  of  a  strap  on  the  neck. 

A  wind-sucker  smacks  his  lips,  gathers  air  into  his 
mouth,  extends   his  head,  or  presses  it  against  some 


178  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

solid  body,  arches  his  neck,  gathers  his  feet  together, 
and  undoubtedly  swallows  air,  blowing  himself  out, 
sometimes  to  a  tremendous  extent.* 

Of  the  two  vices  this  is  the  worst;  a  wind-sucker 
being  more  subject  to  colic,  indigestion  and  polyuria 
than  a  crib-biter. 

To  prevent  crib-biting  a  muzzle  or  neck-strap 
made  for  the  purpose  is  sold  by  saddlers;  and  for 
wind-sucking  a  strap,  studded  with  sharp  points  of 
iron  opposite  the  lower  part  of  the  jaw  is  the  best 
preventative,  whilst  the  indigestion  from  which  these 
animals  seem  to  suffer  is  best  combated  with  purga- 
tives, alkalies,  rock  salt  in  the  manger  and  regular 
work.  Want  of  work,  indigestion  and  the  irritation 
of  teething  are  generally  the  causes  of  these  vices. 

-j-  "  It  is  very  doubtful  whether  crib-biting  origi- 
nates from  any  disease.  It  may  perhaps  with  more 
reason  be  considered  a  propensity,  a  habit,  or  a  vice, 
which  in  time  may  result  in  indigestion,  loss  of  con- 
dition, etc.  This  however,  depends  much  upon  the 
extent  to  which  it  is  practiced,  and  the  constitutional 
vigor  or  strength  of  the  animal ;  for  it  is  well  known 
that  many  a  horse  constantly  practicing  the  vice  is 
neither  retarded  in  his  growth  nor  injured  in  his 
health. 


*  For  my  part  I  cannot  understand  why  a  crib-biter  should  only 
expel  gas,  and  a  wind-sucker  swallow  air.  The  action  and  noise  made  in  both 
cases  are  similar,  as  also  are  the  results  of  the  vices.  I  am  inclined  to  believe 
from  observation  that  air  is  swallowed  in  both  instances. 

f  Dr.  H.  H.  Paaren  in  Breeders'  Gazette,  Vol.  IX,  Page  -553. 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT.         179 

As  to  the  cause  of  this  troublesome  vice,  it  occurs 
mostly  in  young  horses  that  are  well  fed  and 
insufficiently  worked.  There  is  no  doubt  also  a 
special  predisposition  to  the  habit;  with  some  horses 
it  appears  to  arise  naturally,  as  though  the  sucking  or 
gulping  down  of  air  gave  them  pleasure  or  a  relief 
from  some  sort  of  suffering.  It  has  also  been 
observed  that  horses  at  all  disposed  to  it  may  be 
easily  led  into  it  by  the  practice  of  some  men  in 
cleaning  them ;  for  if  they  clean  them  before  the 
manger  and  irritate  them  with  a  too  severe  comb, 
and  in  parts  where  they  can  not  endure  it,  they  seize 
upon  the  manger  for  a  counteraction  of  their  suffer- 
ings, and  in  doing  this  first  get  a  habit  of  it  which 
may  afterward  extend  to  the  removing  of  other  pains 
or  distressful  feelings.  Some  horses  indulge  in  the 
habit  of  licking  the  manger  and  gnawing  the  wood- 
work, which  may  eventually  lead  to  cribbing. 

In  practicing  the  vice  cribbers.  avail  themselves  of 
any  prominent  object  even  as  small  as  a  nail  or  a 
ring,  and  in  the  absence  of  any  protruding  or  promi- 
nent object  they  will  grasp  the  halter  or  bridle-rein. 
Horses  that  simply  practice  the  act  of  wind-sucking, 
require  no  resting  point.  When  horses  first  begin 
to  crib-bite,  and  sometimes  inveterate  crib-biters, 
they  only  indulge  in  the  practice  at  intervals,  some 
while  eating  and  others  while  standing  in  the  stable 
without  food  before  them.     During  attacks  of  pain- 


180  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

ful  diseases,  cribbers  do  not  attempt  the  act,  and  it 
may  be  regarded  as  a  favorable  sign  when  such  a 
horse  returns  to  his  old  practice. 

All  sorts  of  preventatives  have  been  resorted  to, 
including  muzzling  with  steel  rods  fixed  to  the  bit. 
The  use  of  a  broad  leather  strap  around  the  throat  is 
not  to  be  recommended  because  it  has  got  to  grad- 
ually produce  distortion  or  constriction  of  the  wind- 
pipe and  thus  cause  roaring.  Our  inquirer  asks 
whether  placing  the  horse  in  a  stall  devoid  of  any- 
thing upon  which  to  get  hold  would  be  a  preventa- 
tive. Well,  with  the  plurality  of  horses  it  may;  but 
we  have  seen  some  old  and  inveterate  offenders  thus 
placed  who  practiced  the  vice  upon  their  knees,  and 
upon  the  hard  floor  while  lying  down." 


CHAPTER  XVII. 
ALVEOLAR  ABSCESSES. 

THEIR    FORMATION,    PROGRESS,    SYMPTOMS    AND    TREATMENT 

The  phenomena  attending  the  formation  of  an 
alveolar  abscess  in  the  domestic  animals,  has  not  yet 
undergone  the  thorough  investigation  it  merits.  If 
the  pain  attending  the  ulceration  and  formation  of  an 
abscess  of  this  kind  is  as  deep  seated,  excruciating 
and  almost  insupportable,  and  we  have  every  reason 
to  believe  it  is,  as  that  of  a  similar  character  in  the 
human  subject,  then  it  would  seem  high  time  that 
the  subject  receive  more  careful  attention  from  the 
profession  and  that  the  owners  of  stock  become 
acquainted  with  a  true   conception  of  its  importance. 

It  is  a  fact  that   alveolar   abscesses  exist  in  both 
upper  and  lower  jaws  to  a  considerable  extent. 
CAUSES. 

The  exciting  or  immediate  cause  of  alveolar 
abscesses  is  inflammation  of  the  alveolo-dental  per- 
iosteum. This  may  be  due  to  inflammation  and 
suppuration  of  the  pulp  or  an  accumulation  of  pus 
at  the  root  of  a  tooth,  the  discharge  of  which  is  in 
no  other  way  provided  for.  It  may  also  be  produced 
by  a  dead  or  diseased  tooth.  External  injury  brings 
181 


182  VETERINART DENTAL  SURGERY. 

about  the  same  results.  The  accumulation  of  food 
between  teeth  that  are  placed  wide  apart,  decomposes 
after  a  time  and  gives  rise  to  fetid  compounds  which 
have  an  injurious  action  upon  the  parts  with  which 
they  come  in  contact.  This  may  be  regarded  as  a 
predisposing  cause.  In  some  animals  there  seems  to 
be  a  strumous  diathesis  which  -must  also,  when  it 
exists,  be  considered  as  a  predisposing  cause.  This 
condition  no  doubt  is  present  much  more  frequently 
than  is  commonly  supposed.  We  know  that  some 
animals  are  predisposed  to  various  bone  diseases  such 
as  ostitis,  bone  spavin,  ring-bone,  etc.,  and  there  is  no 
reason  why  the  jaws  with  their  alveolar  processes 
and  cavities  should  not  be  similarly  affected. 

The  periosteum  of  a  tooth  having  become  the 
seat  of  inflammation,  all  the  phenomena  attending  the 
inflammation  of  the  periosteum  of  any  other  portion 
of  the  osseous  system  will  be  present.  There  will 
be  effusion  of  lymph  at  the  extremity  or  along  the 
side  of  the  root.  This  takes  the  form  of  a  sac  or 
cyst,  which  closely  surrounds  the  root  near  its  apex, 
and  as  suppuration  takes  place  pus  is  formed  in  its 
center.  During  this  time  the  inflammation  gradually 
extends  to  the  gums  and  neighboring  parts.  They 
swell  and  become  painful.  These  swellings  vary 
much  in  size,  owing  to  their  situation  and  the  resist- 
ance which  they  encounter.  As  the  pus  accumulates 
in  the  sac  it  distends  and  presses  on  the  surrounding 


VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 


183 


walls  of  the  alveolus,  which  are  gradually  broken 
down.  By  this  means  an  opening  is  ultimately  made 
through  the  socket,  as  Fig.  44',  when  the  pus  coming 


fig.  44'.  ' 
External  surface  of  lower  jaw  of  a  hog  showing  open- 
ing formed  by  an  abscess. 


fig.  44. 
Table  surface  of  same  teeth. 

in  contact  with  the  soft  structures  presses  upon  them 

and  causes  their  absorption,  furnishing   an  outlet  for 

the    imprisoned    pus,   if    in   the  lower    jaw    usually 

externally  and   inferiorly,   if  in   the   upper  jaw   into 

the  sinus  opposite  the  tooth  which  is  affected. 

The   opening  is   usually  opposite  the   tooth.     In 

fact  all   cases  that  have   thus   far    come    under    my 

observation   were    so    situated;    but  we   can   readily 

understand  that  the  pus  may  escape  from  some  other 

and  more  remote  point;  indeed  such  is  the  frequent 


184 


VE  T ERIN  ART  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 


result   in  the   human    family  when  their   teeth    are 
affected  by  ulceration. 

Fig.  45  is  a  drawing  made 
from  a  tooth  showing  the  sacs 
brought  away  with  it  in  extract- 
ing, they  being  the  only  ones 
which  I  have  thus  far  been  able 
to  remove  intact  with  the  tooth. 
The  membrane  closing  the  cav- 
ity usually  becomes  ruptured, 
§fPf  and  the  ragged  edges  are  all 
fig.  45.  that    are    noticeable.     The    sacs, 

First  right    lower  one   on   either  root    of     the  first 

molar  tooth  showing  n  .  .  . 

ulceration    of    the  lower  molar  were  about  as  large 

roots,     b.  b.  pus  sacs.  ag  a  gQod  gized    pea  Qr  bean  and 

contained    a    fluid    with    the    formation    of    a    small 
amount  of  pus  in  the  center. 

SYMPTOMS. 
The    symptoms    of     alveolar    abscess,    vary    ac- 
cording   the    location     and    progress     of    the    dis- 
ease.    There  will  usually   be   imperfect   mastication 
of     food,   "  quidding,"    with 
loss    of    flesh,    staring    coat, 
with   a  harsh    and    unthrifty 
appearance,   and  in  some  in- 
stances,    greatly      emaciated 
condition  of  the  animal. 


53  Ob 


FIG.  46. 


Table  surface  of  tooth 
The     represented   in   Fig.  45, 
showing  a  normal    con- 
gums    may    or    may  not   be-    dition. 


VETERINAR?  DENTAL  SURGERY.  185 

come  swollen,  red,  hard  and  painful  to  the  touch. 
Tapping  the  diseased  tooth  lightly  produces  intense 
pain. 

If  there  is  a  tendency  for  the  abscess  to  break 
externally,  there  will  be  swelling  of  the  parts  over 
the  affected  tooth,  with  gradual  softening  and  finally 
a  discharge  of  fetid  pus,  which  will  usually  continue 
until  the  cause  is  removed.  When  the  discharge 
has  once  freely  taken  place,  the  pain  partially  ceases 
and  the  animal  begins  to  feed  better  and  may  even 
regain  its  natural  fleshy  condition. 

The  energy  of  the  disease,  however,  having  been 
expended,  the  secretion  of  pus  may  cease  and  the 
opening  into  the  gums  close.  There  is  still  a  great 
susceptibility  to  morbid  impressions  on  the  alveolar-, 
dental  periosteum,  caused  by  the  presence  of  a  tooth 
deprived  of  a  large  portion  of  its  vitality.  A  recur- 
rence of  the  inflammation  is  liable  to  take  place  with 
the  slightest  cause,  when  pus  will  be  again  formed 
and  the  passage  for  its  escape  re-established.  The 
subsequent  attacks  do  not  give  rise  to  as  severe 
symptoms  as  the  first.  By  carefully  investigating 
the  history  of  alveolar  abscesses,  we  frequently 
learn  that  there  has  been  a  recurrence  of  the  abscess. 
This  is  especially  true  in  a  country  practice  where 
there  has  been  limited  opportunities  to  have  the 
teeth  looked  after  by  a  competent  dentist. 

In  some  cases  the  inflammation  instead  of  subsid- 


186  VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  SURGER  T. 

ing  altogether,  degenerates  into  a  chronic  form  with  a 
constant  secretion  of  pus  varying  in  quantity,  some- 
times profuse  at  others  almost  gone.  The  charac- 
ter of  the  pus  also  varies  at  different  times;  some- 
times it  is  thin,  at  others  thick.  At  all  times  it  has 
a  tendency  to  adhere  around  the  external  opening. 
It  is  always  more  or  less  fetid. 

TREATMENT. 
Remove  the  cause.  This  usually  necessitates 
the  extraction  of  one  or  more  teeth.  If  due  to 
the  accumulation  of  food  between  the  teeth,  its 
removal  should  be  effected  and  the  parts  washed 
out  with  a  solution  of  chloride  of  lime,  or  carbolic 
acid,  one  part  to  thirty  of  soft  or  distilled  water. 
Corrosive  sublimate,  two  grains  to  one  ounce  of  soft 
or  distilled  water  makes  an  excellent  disinfectant. 

A  very  singular  case  of  fistulous  opening,  due  to 
alveolar  abscess,  was  presented  for  operation  at  the  in- 
firmary during  the  summer  of  1887.  The  right  lower 
fourth  molar  was  diseased  and  the  abscess  had 
broken  on  the  under  surface  of  the  inferior  maxilla. 
By  carefully  introducing  a  probe  into  the  fistulous 
opening,  it  could  be  passed  completely  through  the 
jaw  and  up  along  side  the  tooth  into  the  mouth. 
The  diseased  tooth  was  extracted,  and  the  fistula 
thoroughly  syringed  out  with  a  solution  of  corrosive 
sublimate,  two  grains  to  the  ounce  of  "water.  Re- 
covery took  place  very  rapidly. 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  187 

All  cases  of  a  similar  nature  however  do  not 
heal  so  readily.  The  secretion  of  pus  may  cease 
for  a  time,  and  the  opening  close,  but  whenever  the 
excitability  of  the  alveolar  periosteum  is  increased 
by  any  derangement  of  the  system,  it  is  liable  to 
give  rise  to  a  recurrence  of  the  disease. 

In  such  instances  it  is  necessary  to  excise  a  circu- 
lar portion  of  the  skin  and  flesh  around  the  opening. 
Even  trephining  may  have  to  be  resorted  to  in 
order  to  prevent  the  recurrence  of  pus.  Trouble  of 
this  nature  is  rarely  experienced  if  trephining  is 
resorted  to  at  the  time  of  the  first  operation. 

While  preparing  this  chapter,  I  was  called  upon 
to  operate  on  the  teeth  of  a  four-year-old  mare,  the 
property  of  Mr.  Goldsmith,  of  Lafayette,  Indiana, 
which  seemed  to  be  suffering  from  dental  irritation. 
On  making  an  examination  of  the  teeth,  the  fourth 
and  fifth  lower  right  molars  were  found  slightly  de- 
cayed on  the  external  surface  of  their  free  portion. 
The  gums  were  swollen  and  very  tender  to  the 
touch.  Tapping  the  tooth  with  a  pair  of  forceps 
produced  intense  pain.  A  history  of  the  case  was 
given  as  follows:  The  mare  had  been  gradually  fail- 
ing for  the  last  eight  months,  quidding  the  food  all  this 
time.  At  the  time  she  was  presented  for  operating, 
she  was  very  much  emaciated.  A  foul,  disagreeable 
odor  emanated  from  the  mouth,  the  result  of  decay- 
ing vegetable  matter  contained  within  the  teeth.     An 


188  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

attempt  was  made  to  remove  the  teeth  with  forceps 
but  failed  of  success.  Trephining  was  resorted  to 
and  the  tooth  was  driven  out  with  a  punch. 

The  sides  of  the  fifth  tooth  were  partially  cov- 
ered by  a  deposition  of  earthy  material,  clearly 
showing  that  the  disease  must  have  existed  for  a 
considerable  length  of  time.  The  sides  of  the  alve- 
olar cavity  were  in  a  healthy  condition  as  far  as 
could  be  ascertained;  as  a  natural  consequence  they 
were  more  or  less  mutilated  with  the  punch  in  driv- 
ing out  the  teeth,  and  might  have  been  more  or  less 
diseased  without  showing  its  effects  after  the  tooth 
was  extracted. 


CHAP  TER|X  VIII. 

TUMORS  OF  THE  GUMS. 

THEIR   CHARACTER,'   CAUSES    AND   TREATMENT EPULIS. 

The  gums  and  alveolar  processes  of  horses,  cat- 
tle and  sheep,  very  frequently  have  developed  from 
them  tumors  and  excrescences  of  various  kinds,  vary- 
ing in  character  from  the  most  simple  growth  of  the 
gum  to  morbid  productions  of  a  fungoid  or  cancer- 
ous nature.  Some  disappear  without  having  ever 
directed  the  attention  of  the  attendant,  while  others 
are  of  such  a  nature  that  they  will  not  even  yield  to 
the  most  energetic  treatment.  There  is  no  part  of 
the  mouth  peculiarly  susceptible  but  they  may  exist 
in  any  portion. 

Their  character  and  appearance  are  variable; 
some  are  smooth,  others  rough  and  ragged  and  some- 
times covered  with  ulcers ;  some  have  a  broad  base, 
others  are  pedicled;  some  are  soft,  others  hard  and 
fibrous;  some  grow  so  slowly  that  their  growth  is 
scarcely  perceptible  while  the  growth  of  others  is 
exceedingly  rapid ;  some  are  very  vascular  while 
others  are  almost  destitute  of  blood  vessels;  some 
are  nearly  insensitive  while  others  are   highly   sensi- 

189 


190  VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 

tive,  being  the  source  of  extreme  pain  and  discom- 
fiture to  the  animal. 

They  vary  in  color  from  a  light  gray,  almost 
white  to  deep  purple  hue.  This  is  due  to  the  degree 
of  vascularity  which  they  possess,  while  a  good  many 
of  them  retain  the  natural  color  of  the  gums.  Their 
serious  character  will  depend  upon  their  location, 
nature  and  progress,  some  producing  scarcely  if  any 
inconvenience,  while  others  produce  grave  results,  in 
some  instances  endangering  the  life  of  the  animal. 
Some  are  of  sporadic  origin  others  of  parasitical. 
CAUSES. 
Tumors  of  the  gums  occasionally  arise  spon- 
taneously, but  most  of  them  can  be  traced  to  a 
definite  cause. 

They  are  sometimes  due  to  existing  tartar,  frac- 
tured, loose,  dead  or  decayed  teeth  or  roots  of  teeth. 
Fracture  of  the  alveolar  process  may  follow  an 
operation  on  the  teeth  or  gums,  or  by  external  vio- 
lence, and  set  up  an  irritation  sufficient  to  produce 
tumors  or  excrescences  of  various  kinds.  Those  cases 
which  seem  to  rise  spontaneously,  if  thoroughly  ex- 
amined would  probably  reveal  the  fact  that  they  are 
of  a  parasitic  or  cancerous  nature,  or  could  their 
history  be  traced,  as  in  the  human  subject,  their 
causes  might  in  most  instances  be  traced  to  some 
form  of  irritation  of  the  gums  or  alveolar  processes  or 
membrane  at  some  earlier  period.     It  is  not  neces- 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  191 

sary  to  the  production  of  tumors  or  excrescences, 
that  any  of  the  above  causes  be  actually  present  at 
the  time  they  are  first  noticed.  These  organs  having 
once  been  affected  they  will  be  more  susceptible  to 
morbid  impressions. 

Of  all  parts  of  the  body  there  perhaps  is  no  part 
that  is  so  thoroughly  exposed  to  irritation  from 
various  causes,  as  the  soft  structures  of  the  mouth. 
They  are  almost  constantly  subjected  to  external  in- 
fluences which  are  calculated  to  injure  them.  The 
nature  of  the  food  alone  is  sufncent  to  keep  up  a 
more  or  less  constant  irritation.  Gravel,  pieces  of 
wood,  corn  cobs,  pieces  of  wire,  sharp  ends  of  hay, 
all  have  a  tendency  to  injure  the  soft  structures,  with 
which  they  come  in  contact. 

TREATMENT. 

The  treatment  will  necessarily  be  varied  owing 
to  the  many  causes  which  produce  the  disease. 
The  constitutional  symptoms  accompanying  these 
tumors  will  have  much  to  do  in  adopting  a  mode 
of  treatment. 

By  removing  the  cause,  a  great  many  of  these 
growths  will  disappear,  some  by  simply  extracting  a 
dead  or  decayed  tooth  or  roots  of  teeth.  If  they  do 
not  subside  after  the  removal  of  the  cause  they 
should  be  excised ;  this  must  be  practiced  with  some 
care,  or  severe  hemorrhage  might  follow,  especially 
if   the    tumors    are  located  over  the  palatine  artery 


192  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

After  the  removal  of  the  tumor  the  place  should  be 
powerfully  cauterized  for  the  purpose  of  destroying 
all  sarcomatous  tissue  and  that  there  may  be  no  re- 
currence. Paquelin's  ther mo-cautery  is  frequently 
used  for  this  purpose  with  good  results. 

If  the  tumor  is  again  reproduced,  the  next  oper- 
ation must  be  made  more  thorough.  The  base  of 
the  enlargement  must  be  removed.  The  operation 
should  include  the  healthy  tissue  in  every  direction. 

To  facilitate  the  removal  of  these  tumors  and  in- 
sure perfect  safety  the  animal  should  be  cast  and 
securely  fastened,  the  operator  having  one  or  two 
assistants  to  insure  perfect  saftey. 

Under  the  designation  'Epulis'  Professor  Wil- 
liams says: — "a  tumor  of  the  gum  often  of  a  simple 
growth,  of  the  same  consistency  as  the  structure  from 
which  it  grows  and  not  likely  to  be  reproduced 
when  the  exciting  cause  has  been  removed,  and  the 
disease  extirpated.  Its  frequent  cause  is  caries  of 
some  parts  of  the  molar  teeth.  The  lower  jaw  is  its 
most  common  seat.  It  commences  at  the  root  of 
the  molars,  or  in  the  alveolar  ridges.  The  size  and 
extent  of  epulis  are  various;  it  may  be  confined 
to  the  gum  between  two  teeth,  or  it  may  involve 
several  if  neglected  and  partake  of  a  malignant 
character."  The  disease  may  exist  in  two  forms:  the 
benign  and  malignant.  In  his  description  Professor 
Williams  says  that  the  former  is  smooth  on  the  sur- 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGER7 .  193 

face  and  of  slow  growth,  and  seems  to  be  unattended 
with  pain  but  from  its  size  interfere  with  mastication. 
The  latter  is  ragged,  of  rapid  growth,  frequently 
bleeding  and  giving  the  animal  much  pain  and  is 
accompanied  by  infiltration  into  the  surrounding 
bones  and  hard  palate,  of  the  characteristic  cancer- 
like matter. 

The  following  case  of  a  tumor  in  the  dog  is  taken 
from  the  American    Veterinary  Review: 

*MAXILLARY  FISTULA  IN  A  DOG. 

BY    MR.    X.    PAUCHENNE. 

A  pointer  slut  had  on  the  right  facial  region  a 
tumor  the  size  of  a  nut,  somewhat  soft  and  painful. 
Opened  it  allowed  the  escape  of  a  certain  quantity 
of  clotted  blood,  which  was  squeezed  out  and  the 
neoplasm  was  dressed  externally  with  tincture  of 
iodine.  After  a  few  weeks  the  animal  entirely 
recovered.  Three  months  after,  however,  there  was 
a  relapse  and  the  growth  had  reappeared  with  the 
same  character.  Remembering  the  mention  of 
similar  cases  made  by  Prof.  Reul,  of  the  Bruxelles 
school,  the  author  made  a  careful  inspection  of  the 
buccal  cavity  and  examined  with  attention  the  condi- 
tion of  the  molar  teeth.  Percussing  every  one  with 
the  point  of  a  pair  of  curved  scissors,  he  observed 
that  the  third  molar,  though  like  all  the  others  pre- 
senting a  handsome  white   appearance,  gave  a  pecu- 

*American  Veterinary  Review,  Vol.  10,  Page  517. 


194  VE  TERINAR  Y  DENTAL  SURGER  V. 

liar  sound,  and  seemed  to  be  less  strongly  implanted 
in  its  alveolar  cavity.  This  tooth  was  extracted  and 
found  to  be  slightly  decayed  under  the  gums.  It 
was  the  cause  of  the  trouble,  for  recovery  rapidly 
followed  the  operation  and  the  animal  has  enjoyed 
perfect  health  since. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 
NASAL  GLEET. 

CAUSES,  SYMPTOMS  AND  TREATMENT — TREPHINING — STEPS 
IN  THE  OPERATION AFTER  TREATMENT. 

Nasal  gleet  is  a  sub-acute  inflammation  of  the 
membrane  lining  the  frontal  and  maxillary  sinuses  of 
the  head.  It  may  be  due  to  various  causes.  The 
only  ones  however,  that  we  shall  consider  are 
those  that  require  surgical  aid  to  induce  partial  or 
complete  recovery. 

CAUSES. 

Caries  of  the  upper  molars,  the  third,  fourth, 
fifth  and  sixth  especially;  elongated  inferior  molar 
teeth  which  wear  the  gums  and  alveolar  processes  of 
the  upper  jaw,  inducing  caries;  hypertrophy  of  the 
fangs  of  the  upper  molar  teeth;  exostoses  on  the 
fangs;  external  injury ;  disease  of  the  facial  bones; 
collections  of  impissated  pus ;  foreign  substances 
passing  up  through  a  cavity  in  a  carious  tooth's 
cystic  tumors;  calcarious  concretions  in  the  maxillary 
and  frontal  sinuses;  clots  of  blood  in  a  state  of  de- 
composition; straw,  chaff,  hay,  etc.,  which  accident- 
ally pass  from  the  nostril  into  the  sinuses ;  or  even 
whole  teeth  passing  up  into  the  sinuses. 
195 


196  VETERINART DENTAL  SURGERY. 

SYMPTOMS. 

There  will  be  a  discharge  from  one  nostril  only 
in  a  majority  of  cases.  This  discharge  varies  much 
in  quantity,  being  almost  entirely  absent  at  times,  at 
others  very  profuse.  It  does  not  adhere  to  the  bor- 
der of  the  nostrils.  It  usually  sinks  in  water.  If  it 
contains  particles  of  bone ;  it  has  a  fetid  odor  as  well 
as  the  breath  that  comes  from  the  affected  side.  If 
the  teeth  are  unsound  it  can  be  easily  detected  by 
making  an  examination  of  them.  They  also  give  off 
an  offensive  odor  when  carious.  If  the  disease  is  of 
long  standing  there  may  also  be  bulging  of  the  walls 
of  the  sinus.  When  the  sinuses  or  their  divisions  are 
filled  with  pus,  percussion  applied  to  the  outer  walls 
causes  a  dull  sound  to  be  emitted.  If  there  is  any 
doubt  about  the  confinement  of  pus  in  the  cavity  the 
introduction  of  a  small  gimlet  or  drill,  will  when 
withdrawn,  contain  pus  in  the  groove  if  there  be  any 
present. 

The  symptoms  of  this  disease  are  sometimes  mis- 
taken for  those  of  glanders  and  many  animals  suffer- 
ing from  nasal  gleet  have  been  killed  for  glandered 
animals.  Such  mistakes  however,  are  the  result  of 
ignorance  of  the  characteristic  symptoms  of  the  two 
diseases. 

While  preparing  this  chapter  I  was  sent  to  inves- 
tigate a  supposed  outbreak  of  glanders  in  a  black 
gelding.     The  animal  presented  the  following  symp- 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  197 

toms:  great  emaciation,  dejected  appearance,  staring 
coat,  listlessness  and  a  disinclination  to  move  about. 
There  was  a  discharge  from  the  right  nostril  of  a 
greenish  yellow  color  mixed  with  blood  (the  animal 
had  just  been  fed  hay  and  also  allowed  to  pick  a 
a  small  quantity  of  grass),  very  fetid,  slight  abrasions 
of  the  mucous  membrane  lining  the  nostril.  The 
discharge  contained  small  pieces  of  hay  and  grass, 
some  of  which  could  also  be  seen  well  up  in  the 
nostril. 

On  making  an  examination  of  the  teeth  I  found 
the  right  fourth  upper  molar  partially  decayed  and 
presenting  a  deep  cavity.  This  cavity  had  connec- 
tion with  the  maxillary  sinus.  The  tooth  was  re- 
moved by  trephining,  the  horse  making  a  rapid 
recovery. 

TREATMENT. 

Remove  the  cause,  then  make  an  opening  at  the 
most  dependent  part  of  the  sinus,  allow  the  pus  to 
escape  and  inject  the  cavity  with  warm  water  con- 
taining a  small  amount  of  carbolic  acid  or  common 
salt.  This  injection  may  be  effected  with  a  common 
syringe  or  an  injection  pump,  the  latter  being  prefer- 
able as  it  throws  a  constant  stream  and  does  not 
irritate  by  being  constantly  inserted  and  again  with- 
drawn in  order  to  be  refilled.  Too  much  force 
should  not  be  used  for  the  mucous  membrane  is  very 
tender  and  sensitive.     A   common  rubber  tube  may 


198  VE  TBRINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 

be  used  with  one  end  inserted  in  the  opening  made 
by  the  trephine  and  the  other  containing  a  funnel 
into  which  a  constant  stream  of  water  can  be  poured, 
or  the  tube  may  have  one  end  attached  to  a  pail 
which  is  suspended  over  the  head.  The  dressings 
should  be  repeated  once  each  day  until  the  cavity 
closes,  care  being  taken  not  to  injure  the  mucous 
membrane  of  the  sinus. 

The  following  cases  show  the  necessity  of  making 
a  careful  examination  before  ordering  the  destruc- 
tion of  a  horse  because  he  is  supposed  to  suffer  from 
glanders. 

*"There  are  instances  on  record  of  carious  teeth 
being  discovered  and  of  their  being  productive  of 
such  consequences  as  have  led,  through  error,  to  fatal 
termination.  The  following  relation  ought  to  oper- 
ate on  our  minds  as  a  warning  in  pronouncing  judg- 
ment in  cases  of  glanders,  or  at  least  in  such  as 
assume  the  semblance  of  glanders. 

A  horse  the  property  of  the  Government  became 
a  patient  of  Mr.  Cherry's  on  account  of  a  copious  de- 
fluxion  of  fetid  discolored  purulent  matter  from  the 
near  nostril,  unaccompanied  either  by  submaxillary 
tumefaction  or  by  ulceration  of  the  Schneiderian 
membrane.  For  two  or  three  months  the  case  was 
treated  for  glanders,  but  no  amendment  appearing  a 
consultation  was  deemed  necessary,  the  result  of 
which  was  the  horse  was  shot. 


*Percival,  Hippopathology,  Vol.  II,  Part  II,  Page  297. 


VE  T ERIN  ART  DENTAL  S  URGER  T.  199 

On  examination  of  the  head  the  third  molar  tooth 
proved  to  be  carious,  one-third  of  its  fang  being 
already  consumed  and  the  remainder  rotten.  The 
formation  of  an  abscess  within  its  socket  had  ren- 
dered the  tooth  loose  and  the  matter  flowing  there- 
from had  established  a  passage  into  the  contiguous 
chamber  of  the  nose.  The  antrum,  also,  was  in  part 
obstructed  by  the  deposition  of  osseous  matter.  This 
is  a  case  which  but  for  the  inquisitiveness  of  Mr. 
Cherry,  would  have  indiscriminately  merged  into 
that  heterogeneous  class  of  diseases  passing  under  the 
appellation  of  chronic  glanders. 

*  Surgeon  William  Smith,  of  Norwich,  England, 
reports  a  case  of  caries  of  the  roots  of  several  grinder 
teeth,  accompanied  by  a  discharge  from  the  nostril 
which    he    admits    he  mistook  for  ozena.     He  says 
(^Veterinarian,  1850,  Pages  381-2): 

"I  was  requested  a  few  days  ago  to  visit  a  horse 
which  was  supposed  to  be  'glandered'.  I  found  the 
animal  in  a  most  emaciated  and  pitiable  condition, 
"with  a  copious,  greenish,  and  very  offensive  dis- 
charge from  the  left  nostril  with  slight  tumefaction 
of  the  gland  on  the  same  side.  There  was  no  ap- 
pearance of  ulceration,  but  the  Schneiderian  mem- 
brane had  a  leaden,  dirty  hue.  Taking  all  the  cir- 
cumstances into  consideration,  I  ordered  the  animal's 
destruction,  but  had  its  head  sent  to  my  infirmary. 

♦Clark,  Horses'  Teeth,  Page  183. 


200  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

"  Meeting  Surgeon  Gloag,  of  the  Eleventh  Hus- 
sars, I  told  him  I  thought  I  had  a  case  of  ozena.  He 
expressed  a  wish  to  be  present  at  the  examination 
of  the  head,  and  I  was  glad  to  avail  myself  of  his 
assistance. 

''A  longitudinal  cut  was  made  on  each  side  of  the 
septum  nasi  and  a  transverse  one  at  a  line  between 
the  center  of  the  orbits.  Another  longitudinal  cut, 
dividing  the  maxillary  sinuses  was  made  just  above 
the  roots  of  the  grinder  teeth  on  each  side.  By  this 
means  we  had  an  opportunity  of  examining  the  sep- 
tum nasi  on  each  side;  also  the  turbinated  bones  and 
the  frontal  and  maxillary  sinus. 

"On  the  left  side  we  found  an  accumulation  of 
food,  covered  with  thick  pus,  completely  filling  the 
maxillary  sinus,  and  extending  to  the  turbinated 
bones.  The  frontal  sinus  contained  an  accumulation 
of  inspissated  (thickened)  pus,  the  septum  nasi  was 
of  a  leaden  hue,  as  also  the  membrane  covering  the 
turbinated  bones,  which  were  much  inflamed  and 
thickened,  but  there  was  no  appearance  of  ulceration. 

"The  difficulty  was  to  ascertain  how  the  food 
got  there.  After  careful  search  it  was  very  evident 
that  it  could  not  have  passed  through  the  nostril. 
We  therefore  gradually  dislodged  the  food  and  mat- 
ter, searching  for  the  former's  entrance,  and  at  last 
found  a  hole  in  the  alveolar  space  belonging  to  the 
last  grinder,  the  root  of  which  was  completely  gone, 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  201 

only  a  small  portion  of  the  crown  itself  remaining. 
The  hole  was  sufficiently  large  to  admit  the  little 
finger.  The  mystery  was  solved.  The  process  of 
mastication  had  deposited  the  food  in  the  sinus. 
The  fourth  grinder  was  absent,  having  been  lost 
evidently  from  previous  disease. 

"On  examining  the  right  side  of  the  head,  we 
found  the  turbinated  bones  and  membranes  covering 
the  septum  nasi  comparatively  healthy,  but  we  dis- 
covered a  cyst,  about  the  size  of  a  walnut  in  the  max- 
illary sinus.  It  contained  limpid  fluid,  and  occupied 
the  space  immediately  over  the  root  of  the  fourth 
grinder  tooth,  which  was  decayed  and  quite  loose 
and  below  *  the  level  of  the  other  teeth.  The  teeth 
of  the  lower  jaw  appeared  healthy." 

"Without  further  examination,  Surgeon  Smith 
sent  the  head  to  the  Editor  of  The  Veterinarian 
who  says: 

"The  mare  (that  being  the  sex  according  to  the 
teeth),  we  should  take  to  have  been  about  twenty 
years  old.  Her  incisors  are  sound  and  so  are  the 
grinders  of  the  lower  jaw.  But  in  the  near  (left) 
upper  jaw,  the  second,  fourth  and  sixth  teeth  are  in 
a  state  of  progressive  decay,  and  the  same  is  true  of 
the  fourth  tooth  on  the  off  side.  The  vacuity  caused 
by  the  defective  last  grinder  has  opened  a  passage  to 
the  antrum  through  which  the  food  has  passed,  and 

*  Italics  Clark's. 


202  VBTERINART  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

thence  into  the  rear  chamber  of  the  nose,  between 
the  turbinated  bones,  where  it  was  discharged 
through  the  nostril.  This  accounts  for  the  irritation 
on  this  side  of  the  head,  for  the  suppurated  and  even 
ulcerated  condition  of  the  Schneiderian  membrane, 
and  for  the  suspicious  discharges.  It  was  evident 
enough  that  there  was  no  glanders.  The  very  cir- 
cumstance of  alimentary  matter  being  discharged 
through  the  nostril  was  enough  to  prove  the  con- 
trary." 

♦AMERICAN  VETERINARY  COLLEGE  HOSPITAL 
RECORDS. 

CARIES    AND    REMOVAL    OF    THE    THIRD    UPPER     MOLAR  TOOTH 

SUPPURATION      IN      THE    NASAL    TURBINATED     BONES — 

TREPANATINE RECOVERY BY       JAMES      A.      WALRATH, 

D.    V.    S.,    HOUSE    SURGEON. 

On  the  19th  of  August  a  brown  gelding  was 
admitted  to  the  hospital  with  the  following  history : 
Toward  the  latter  end  of  April  the  owner's  attention 
was  called  to  a  slight  discharge  taking  place  from 
the  right  nostril  of  a  whitish  character,  which  was 
observed  to  be  more  abundant  when  the  head  was 
depressed. 

Thinking  it  to  be  nothing  more  than  a  simple 
nasal  catarrh  he  concluded  that  no  treatment  was 
necessary  and  kept  the  animal  at  work,  supposing 
that  the  discharge  would  cease  spontaneously.  After 
a   delay    of    some    weeks    without    any    perceptible 

*American  Veterinary  Review,  Vol.  X,  Page  317. 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  203 

change  he,  by  advice  of  friends,  sent  the  horse  to  the 
country  for  a  run  at  grass.  Here  he  remained,  as 
the  owner  supposed,  doing  well,  until  word  was  re- 
ceived from  the  pasture,  the  owner  announcing  that  the 
services  of  two  practitioners  had  been  called  to  see  the 
animal  and  that  there  was  a  question  in  dispute  be- 
tween them  as  to  the  nature  of  the  disease  with 
which  the  animal  was  suffering.  One  maintained 
he  was  affected  with  glanders  and  ought  to  be 
destroyed,  while  the  other  one  contended  that  it  was 
not,  and  that  the  discharge  was  due  to  other  causes, 
which  were  not  in  the  least  contagious.  Immediately 
after  this  the  horse  was  sent  back  to  the  city  and  a 
short  time  after  his  arrival  was  brought  to  the  hospi- 
tal for  examination.  At  this  time  the  discharge  was 
not  very  abundant,  being  flaky  in  character  and 
having  a  peculiarly  bad  odor.  A  large  swelling  was 
visible  on  the  right  side  of  the  face,  involving  the 
nasal  bone,  especially  in  its  superior  portion,  per- 
cussing dullness  was  well  marked,  not  alone  over  the 
swelling,  but  over  nearly  the  whole  extent  of  the 
bone.  The  animal  reared  when  moved,  respiration 
not  being  performed  without  considerable  difficulty. 
Examination  of  the  nasal  cavity  with  a  reflector 
showed  the  mucous  membrane  to  be  of  a  leaden 
color,  and  the  turbinated  bone  to  be  enlarged  and 
quite  prominent,  even  at  the  inferior  extremity, 
which  was  readily  noticed  by  lifting  up  the  wing  of 


204  VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 

the  nostril.  Placing  the  hand  in  the  mouth  of  the 
same  side,  the  third  molar  tooth  of  the  upper  jaw 
was  found  to  be  decayed  and  the  cavity  partially 
filled  with  undigested  food.  After  proper  prepara- 
tion of  the  animal  by  dieting,  he  was  thrown  down, 
and  while  under  the  influence  of  chloral,  the  diseased 
tooth  was  extracted  by  removal  in  two  pieces.  The 
bulging  nasal  bone  was  then  trephined,  and  about 
two  ounces  of  cheesy  pus  taken  from  the  sinus  of  the 
turbinated  bone  with  a  spoon  probe.  He  was  then 
allowed  to  get  up,  and  the  sinus  thoroughly  cleansed 
with  luke-warm  water  from  a  small  pipe  which  was 
inserted  through  the  opening  made  by  the  trephine, 
the  water  that  entered  being  allowed  to  escape 
through  the  nostrils,  carrying  with  it  small  pieces 
of  detached  pus. 

This  treatment  was  kept  up  twice  daily  until 
scarcely  any  discharge  was  noticed,  after  which  the 
irrigations  were  not  as  frequent,  taking  place  but 
once  per  day,  and  later  on  still  rarer,  the  opening 
being  kept  open  with  a  short  firm  tent  of  oakum, 
and  the  granulations  around  the  edge  cauterized  fre- 
quently "with  nitrate  of  silver. 

After  the  discharge  had  ceased  the  oakum  was 
removed  from  the  opening  and  the  edges  allowed  to 
unite,  union  taking  place  very  rapidly. 

The  tooth  cavity  was  kept  as  clean  as  possible 
after  the  extraction,  by  washing  out  with  water  the 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT.  205 

foreign  matters  that  daily  collected.  The  function 
of  respiration  which  had  been  mechanically  inter- 
fered with  was,  after  the  operation,  performed  with 
ease,  and  at  the  end  of  the  fourth  week  he  was  dis- 
charged. He  has  been  seen  since  several  times,  and 
found  in  perfect  condition,  doing  his  daily  work. 
TREPHINING— STEPS    IN   THE    OPERATION. 

The  operation  of  trephining  may  be  divided  into 
three  separate  steps:  ist,  the  securing  of  the  animal; 
2d,  the  removal  of  the  soft  structures  ;  3d,  the 
removal  of  the  hard  structures. 

1  st.  Back  the  animal  into  a  narrow  stall,  apply 
a  twitch  to  the  upper  lip  and  have  it  held  by  an 
assistant.  Another  assistant  should  place  one  hand 
across  the  nostrils,  high  enough  up  so  as  not  to  inter- 
fere with  respiration,  and  the  other  hand  across  the 
poll  to  prevent  the  animal  from  making  a  sudden 
movement.  'To  trephine  successfully,  it  is  not  neces- 
sary to  cast  the  horse,  especially  if  he  has  never  been 
operated  on  before.  There  are,  however,  instances 
where  it  is  necessary  to  cast  the  animal,  but  they  are 
exceedingly  rare.  In  four  years'  practice  as  a  pro- 
fessional dentist,  I  have  never  found  it  necessary  to 
cast  but  one  animal,  and  that  one  had  been  operated 
on  several  times  previous  to  my  operating. 

2d.  It  is  advisable  to  remove  a  circular  piece  of 
skin  and  subcutaneous  tissue  somewhat  larger  than 
the  trephine.     Dissect  away  all  the  soft  structures, 


206  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

removing  every  particle,  or  the  trephine  will  become 
clogged.  A  common  scalpel,  Fig.  47,  may  be  used 
"U/  for  making  an  incision  through  the  skin,  and  if 
it  has  a  straight,  thin  bone  or  ivory  handle,  the 
soft  structures  including  the  periosteum  can  be 
easily  removed  by  pushing  the  end  of  the  handle 
underneath  them  and  raising  them  up.  Some 
operators  prefer  a  crucial  incision,  others  a  T 
^  incision.     If  either  of  the  latter  forms  of  incis- 

i. 

£ion  are  made,  the  opening,  as  a  general  thing, 
Swill  close  too  soon.  The  flaps  also  interfere 
with  the  washing  and  dressing  of  the  sinuses; 
they  sometimes  become  swollen  and  very  pain- 
ful to  the  touch.  By  making  the  circular  in- 
cision, the  operation  is  more  readily  performed 
and  the  edges  of  the  wound  do  not  interfere 
with  the  dressing. 

3d.  The  removal  of  the  bony  plate  is 
accomplished  by  the  use  of  the  trephine,  of 
which  there  are  several  kinds,  all  of  which  will 
do  good  work  as  long  as  they  are  kept  sharp. 
At  present  they  are  all  made  with  a  center  bit. 
fig.  47.  The  other  instruments  necessary  are  a  scal- 
.  pSra  "  pel,  a  strong  pair  of  dressing  forceps  and  a 
Pels-  sequestrum  forcep,  Fig.  49,  with  which  to 
remove  the  piece  of  bone  when  it  is  not  brought  out 
by  the  trephine.  The  bit  should  be  extended  one- 
fourth  inch  beyond  the  saw  of  the  trephine;  this, 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 


207 


when  inserted,  will  hold  the  saw  in  position.  If 
the  operation  of  trephining  is  resorted  to  in  order 
to    effect   the   removal  of    a  tooth  by  punching   it 


SHARP  &  SMITH,  CHI. 

Gait's  Trephine,  Nickel  Plated. 


SHARP  ft  SMITH,  CHI. 

Trephine  Handle, 
FIG.   48. 
out,  the   opening   should  be  made  directly  over  the 
roots  of  the  tooth.     Should   there  be  two  teeth  side 
by  side  which  require  a  like  operation,  an  opening 
made  with  an  inch  and  a  quarter  trephine  directly 

e 


SHkRP  &.5NMW 


FIG.    49. 

Sequestrum.    Forcep. 
over  both  teeth,  will  be  sufficiently  large  to  admit  of 

the   punching   out  of  both  teeth  through  the  same 

opening.     If  a   smaller    trephine    is   used,   and  it  is 

desirable  to  increase  the  size  of  the  opening,  it  can 

be  done  with  the  separating  saw.     Fig.  50. 


fig.  50. 


208 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 


The  punches  used  in  driving  out  teeth  are  of 
various  sizes  and  shapes,  but  should  always  be  large 
enough  to  cover  all  the  roots  of  the  tooth  on  which 
it  is  used.     They  may  be  made  of  hard  wood,  iron 


fig.  51. 

Straight  and  Curved  Punches  and  Curved  Elevator, 
or  steel;  about  six  inches  long  and  round   or  octag- 
onal.    The  punches  which  I  use  are  made  of  steel, 
polished,  and  correspond  in  size  with  the  trephines, 


fig.  52. 

French  Snap  Forceps,  for  holding  arteries. 

which  are  four  in  number  varying  from  five-eighth 

to  one   and  one- fourth  inches.      These   punches  for 

the    most    part    are    straight.     Where    the    opening 

with  the  trephine  is  made,  as   in    Fig.  15,  a  curved 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 


209 


punch  will  be  necessary  in   order  to  get  under  the 
teeth.     Such  a  punch  is  represented  in  Fig.  51. 


fig.  53.  Elevator  and  Raspatory. 
AFTER  TREATMENT. 

Keep  the  parts  clean  and  dress  daily 
with  warm  water  containing  a  small  quan- 
tity of  carbolic  acid  or  common  salt.  Be 
careful  to  remove  all  foreign  substances 
contained  in  the  cavity.  Keep  the  wound 
open  as  long  as  there  are  any  indications 
of  existing  disease  of  the  sinus,  or  until  the 
alveolar  cavity  which  contained  the  tooth 
that  has  been  removed,  fills  up  with  a 
healthy  growth.  If  the  operation  is  per- 
formed during  the  season  of  the  year  when 
flies  or  other  insects  are  liable  to  keep  up 
an  irritation,  the  opening  may  be  covered 
with  a  piece  of  cloth  secured  in  place  with 
pine  pitch  or  some  other  adhesive  sub- 
stance. A  plug  of  carbolized  tow  or 
oakum  inserted  in  the  opening  will  answer 
the  same  purpose  in  addition  to  keeping 
the  wound  open. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  plug  up  the  open- 
ing left  by  the  extraction  of  the  tooth 
except  perhaps  in  occasional  cases. 


FIG.    54. 

Right  Angle 
Elevator. 


CHAPTER  XX. 
OSTEO  POROSIS. 

This  disease  may  affect  any  or  all  portions  of  the 
osseous  system,  often  involving  the  teeth,  and  it  is 
this  fact  that  has  led  me  to  consider  the  subject  in 
this  work.  The  teeth  frequently  become  so  loose 
that  they  can  be  drawn  out  with  the  fingers.  Dr. 
Weese,  of  Ottawa,  111.,  relates  a  case  where  all  the 
superior  molars  were  loose  with  but  little  enlarge- 
ment of  the  facial  bones.  Such  cases  frequently  occur, 
and  in  order  to  properly  diagnose  the  condition  it  is 
necessary  to  understand  the  disease.  It  would  be  of 
no  use  to  operate  or  extract  the  teeth  of  such  ani- 
mals, as  the  disease  is  not  amenable  to  treatment  and 
the  animal  so  affected  sooner  or  later  succumbs  to 
the  disease. 

Dr.  Anderson,  of  Macon,  Ga.,  who  has  made  the 
subject  a  special  study,  read  the  following  paper 
before  the  Illinois  Veterinary  Medical  Society, 
November  16,  1S88: 

"  It  is  more  with  a  view  of  directing  the  atten- 
tion of  the  veterinary  profession,  rather  than  cast- 
ing any  light  upon  the  etiological  or  therapeutical 
phase  of  the  disease,  that  I  offer  this  article  on  the 
210 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  211 

above  named  subject  to  this  able  veterinarian  assem- 
blage. And  furthermore  should  I,  before  its  con- 
clusion, venture  upon  its  etiology,  I  wish  it  under- 
stood that  the  idea  is  merely  a  hypothesis;  as  the 
true  causes  of  this  strange  affection  are  at  the  present 
one  of  the  many  unsolved  pathological  problems, 
and  it  is  not  my  intention  to  present  positively  other 
than  facts. 

'*  The  subject  is  one  of  great  importance,  as  the 
proportions  which  it  has  assumed  in  some  parts  of 
this  country  are  simply  alarming,  and  with  our  pres- 
ent knowledge  of  the  disease  we  are  unable  to  take 
any  steps  towards  its  prevention. 

"  Various  are  the  titles  by  which  it  is  known, 
seeming  to  have  gained  them  from  the  ideas  which 
those  who  assumed  its  nomenclature,  had  of  its  mor- 
bid anatomy  or  parts  involved.  And  the  name 
which  I  here  accept  under  which  to  describe  it, 
seems  to  me  inappropriate,  as  it  neither  indicates  the 
true  pathological  condition,  as  we  shall  see  presently, 
or  gives  any  idea  as  to  the  cause.  In  India  it  is 
known  as  the  'Nasal  Disease'  and  has  been  described 
under  this  title  from  time  to  time,  by  veterinarians 
in  that  country  in  their  communications  to  various 
veterinary  journals.  It  was  first  recognized  in 
England  about  the  year  1859  and  is  described  by 
William  Williams  in  his  works,  under  the  title 
which  this  article  bears. 


212  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

SYMPTOMS. 

"While  in  that  section  of  the  United  States 
where  it  is  most  prevalent,  it  is  spoken  of  as  '  Big 
Head,'  '  Big  Shoulder  '  and  '  Big  Jaw,'  the  three 
terms  designating  its  supposed  location  only.  The 
disease  itself  is  characterized  by  the  formation  of 
bony,  tumorous  appearing  enlargements  in  the  facial 
region,  at  point  of  shoulder  and  in  the  rami  of  the 
inferior  maxilla,  associated  usually,  but  not  always, 
with  a  general  unthrifty  appearance;  pulse  but  little 
if  any  altered ;  constipation  rather  a  constant  symp- 
tom, respiration  undisturbed,  visible  mucous  mem- 
branes may  or  may  not  be  paler  than  normal,  and 
the  body  temperature  but  little  or  none  above  the 
standard.  The  appetite  usually  remains  good  and 
after  the  progression  of  the  disease  lameness  of  a 
peculiar  kind  is  evinced,  while  an  almost  ever  present 
symptom  is  the  extremely  small  quantity  of  water 
drank.  So  marked  is  this  particular  feature  that 
those  in  charge  will  usually  acquaint  you  with  this 
fact  upon  first  consultation. 

The  disease  seems  to  exist  in  two  forms;  acute 
and  sub-acute  or  chronic.  Williams  in  classifying 
this  affection  in  his  work  on  "  Principles  and  Prac- 
tice of  Veterinary  Surgery,"  places  it  under  the  head 
of  non-inflammatory  osseous  diseases,  but  in  describ- 
ing it  presents  phenomena  in  its  course  of  develop- 
ment   and     post-mortem    appearances   which   corre- 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.         213 

spond  to  those  of  inflammation,  and  which  could 
not  possibly  exist  without  inflammatory  action.  It 
is  therefore  an  inflammatory  disease  as  we  shall 
plainly  see,  and  not  a  non-inflammatory  one,  as  he 
classifies  it.  In  his  accounts  of  post-mortem  appear- 
ances which  agree  in  part  with  those  held  by  my- 
self and  others  he  says,  referring  to  the  bones: 
'  The  periosteal  covering  of  the  flat  and  irregular, 
and  also  some  parts  of  the  long  bones,  was  very  vas- 
cular and  could  be  easily  stripped  off.'  Again  as 
regards  the  cartilages  he  writes:  'In  most  instances 
although  not  in  all,  the  articular  cartilage  was  of  a 
dark  slate  color,  much  thinner  than  is  natural,  and 
in  many  places  it  was  entirely  lost,'  while  in  another 
section  pointing  to  membranes,  we  find  the  follow- 
ing, reading  thus:  'The  synovial  membrane  was  con- 
siderably thickened,  especially  in  those  parts  where 
it  is  most  vascular.'  At  the  beginning  of  his  post- 
mortem report  we  find  this  quotation:  'On  his  at- 
tempting to  walk,  his  fore  legs  gave  way  at  the 
elbow  joint  on  one  side  and  shoulder  joint  on  the 
other,  in  consequence  of  the  articular  and  capsular 
ligaments  and  tendons  of  the  muscles  becoming  de- 
tached from  their  bony  connections  by  tearing  away 
of  portions  of  diseased  bones.' 

These  quotations  are  sufficient  I  should  think,  to 
convince  the  most  skeptical  without  further  argu- 
ment, as  to  its  inflammatory  nature.     In  its  descrip- 


214  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERf. 

tion  I  shall  first  consider  that  form  in  which  the 
enlargements  appear  in  the  facial  regions,  but  not 
from  the  fact  that  the  disease  is  located  wholly  here, 
as  is  thought  by  many,  for  'tis  false;  but  solely  on 
account  of  some  interesting  features  which  are  asso- 
ciated in  animals  presenting  the  facial  enlargements 
which,  by  the  way,  rarely  diminishes  the  caliber  of 
the  nasal  chambers  enough  to  interfere  with  respira- 
tion. The  enlargements  will  be  found  situated  prin- 
cipally within  the  maxilla  and  below  the  orbit, 
obliterating  in  most  instances  that  concavity  which 
marks  the  junction  of  the  superior  maxilla  with  the 
nasal  bones,  causing  the  face  when  viewed  from  an 
affronting  position  to  appear  more  like  that  of  an 
elephant  than  of  the  animal  to  which  it  belongs.  In 
gathering  the  history  of  this  class  of  subjects  you 
will  find  that  nothing  important  has  made  itself 
manifest  that  would  lead  to  the  suspicion  of  the 
existence  of  a  disease  so  grave  in  its  character, 
beyond  the  appearance  of  the  enlargements,  together 
with  slight  thickening  of  the  inferior  maxilla;  pro- 
vided they  were  rapid  in  their  course  of  development 
and  were  not  of  long  standing;  and  even  then,  in 
some  instances  they,  with  the  inferior  maxilla,  are 
the  only  marked  evidences  during  life.  This  is  a 
peculiar  fact,  since  every  bone  in  the  body  is  at  this 
very  time  more  or  less  involved.  On  the  other  hand, 
should  the  enlargements  prove  slow  to  develop,  and 


VE  TERINAR  Y  DENTAL  SURGER  Y.  215 

the  disease  had  progressed  far  enough,  you  would 
find  the  history  of  the  case  quite  different,  and  your 
subject  presenting  if  the  form  was  acute,  consider- 
able constitutional  disturbance  with  an  elevation  of 
temperature,  visible  membranes  injected,  constipation 
present,  feces  altered  in  color,  respiration  accelerated, 
with  lameness  of  a  peculiar  kind;  and  if  located 
around  those  joints  not  well  protected  by  muscles 
giving  attachment  to  tendons,  heat,  swelling  and 
tenderness  upon  pressure  will  exist  to  a  degree. 
These  latter  symptoms  are  due  in  all  probability  to 
rupture  of  some  of  the  tendinous  fibers  from  their 
bony  attachment,  while  the  partial  removal  of  the 
articular  cartilages  which  occurs,  is  sufficient  to 
account  for  the  lameness. 

Again,  if  the  animal  affected  does  not  develop  at 
all  the  facial  enlargements,  the  first  symptoms  made 
manifest  usually  are  of  the  most  acute  kind,  shown 
by  extensive  tumefaction  around  the  joints,  with 
evidence  of  positive  rupture  of  tendinous  attach- 
ments ;  complete  possibly,  and  probably,  fracture  or 
rather  a  tearing  away  of  some  part  of  the  bone  itself, 
which  occurs  in  all  probability  from  muscular  con- 
traction or  undue  weight  being  thrown  upon  it. 
The  proximal  end  of  the  humerus  will  show  con- 
siderable enlargement,  constituting  '  Big  Shoulder,'  as 
it  is  termed,  and  if  the  femur  could  be  outlined, 
would  present  the   same   changes.      In   fact,  it  is  in 


216  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

this  form  of  the  disease  that  the  long  bones,  and 
those  too  which  possess  the  greatest  amount  of 
cancellated  tissue  are  most  affected,  as  shown  by  the 
extensive  tendinous  rupturing  which  occurs  only 
partially,  if  at  all,  in  those  subjects  developing  the 
facial  enlargements  early  and  rapidly. 

The  rami  of  the  inferior  maxilla  will  be  found 
much  larger  than  in  other  instances,  and  it  will  be 
important  to  here  state  that  this  bone  in  all  cases 
invariably  gives  evidence  of  the  existence  of  the 
disease,  by  an  increase  of  its  transverse  diameter 
when  no  other  symptoms  are  sufficiently  developed 
to  testify  to  its  positive  existence.  The  solution  of 
this  at  first  seemingly  strange  fact  is  easy,  since  we 
know  this  bone  to  possess  the  greater  amount  of 
cancellated  tissue  of  any,  where  examination  is  not 
prevented  by  its  protection  of  muscular  tissue.  The 
superior  maxilla  together,  I  will  repeat  again,  with 
every  bone  in  the  osseous  frame,  hyoides  included, 
are  at  this  very  time  affected,  but  do  not  show  evi- 
dence from  the  reason  already  given.  Indeed,  it  is 
a  disease  peculiar  to  bone  only,  and  you  should  not 
be  misled  by  the  rupturing  of  the  tendons  and 
muscles,  as  this  is  due  to  the  necrosed  condition  of 
the  bones  at  the  points  of  their  attachments,  and  not 
to  any  altered  condition  of  their  fibers.  If  the  maxil- 
laries  are  much  affected  and  the  molar  teeth  be 
examined,  especially  the  upper,  by  placing  the  fore- 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  217 

finger  and  thumb  upon  one,  each  on  opposite  sides, 
and  pressing  them  inward,  it  will  be  found  that  the 
bone  can,  to  some  degree,  be  compressed,  causing 
pain,  a  condition  which  is  mistaken  by  many  and 
thought  by  them  to  be  due  to  loosening  of  the  same 
within  the  alveoli.  An  animal  thus  affected  finds 
difficulty  in  eating,  and  is  apt  at  any  moment  in  his 
movements  to  rupture  tendons  from  their  attach- 
ments, or  the  bones  themselves  may  give  way  on 
the  animal  rising  from  a  recumbent  position  or  tak- 
ing a  false  step.  I  have  seen  instances  in  which  the 
metacarpals  and  metatarsals  were  fractured  by  the 
animal  stepping  from  a  box  stall  to  the  passage-way 
floor,  which  was  not  more  than  six  inches  below 
that  of  the  box. 

POST  MORTEM. 
One  interesting  case  which  I  will  give  (instead 
of  citing  many),  of  a  pony  which  did  not  show  evi- 
dence of  the  disease  other  than  the  rami  enlarged 
transversely,  and  a  short  groggy  gait  while  being 
ridden  by  a  boy,  stumbled  and  fell  upon  his  left  side 
on  a  dirt  road  which  was  rather  soft.  When  he 
arose  it  was  found  that  he  had  fractured  the  scapula 
crosswise  above  the  tubercle  of  the  spine.  On  being 
destroyed  a  few  days  later,  the  autopsy  revealed 
nothing  important  as  concerned  the  internal  organs, 
but  on  examining  the  bones  it  was  found  that  the 
periosteum  was  easily  detached  from  most    of    the 


218  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

surfaces  of  all  the  bones,  and  particularly  so  in  that 
part  of  the  bone  where  the  greatest  amount  of 
spongy  tissue  existed.  Their  extremities  were 
greatly  increased  in  their  transverse  diameter,  their 
shafts  were  not  much  affected  in  this  way,  present- 
ing after  divestment  a  pinkish  hue.  Upon  pressure 
being  applied  ever  so  slightly  bloody  fluid  would 
ooze  from  the  bony  substance,  which  when  the 
pressure  was  released  would  recede  again  into  the 
tissue  showing  the  porous  condition  which  existed. 
To  the  touch  they  were  soft,  velvety,  elastic  and 
slightly  rebounding.  The  articular  cartilages  were 
somewhat  discolored  but  all  intact  in  this  particular 
subject,  which  probably  accounts  for  the  absence  of 
lameness  other  than  that  to  which  I  have  already 
alluded.  In  these  cases  showing  continual,  decided 
lameness,  the  cartilages  will  be  found  not  only 
discolored,  but  removed  by  absorption  in  part  or 
wholly.  A  section  made  into  a  long  bone  at  its 
most  affected  part,  which  was  done  with  little  resist- 
ance, showed  the  canal  somewhat  increased  trans- 
versely, with  its  contents  of  a  reddish,  watery  char- 
acter. The  haversian  canals  and  cancelli  were  in 
some  instances  obliterated,  with  their  traversing 
blood  vessels  excessively  engorged,  while  the 
lacunae  and  canaliculi  were  filled  with  a  light  yel- 
lowish semi-fluid  substance.  Both  the  large  and 
periosteal  foramena  were  dilated   and  the  periosteum 


VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  SURGER  t.  219 

thickened.  The  weight  of  the  bones  was  greatly 
increased  owing  to  the  amount  of  fluids  present,  but 
when  allowed  to  dry  they  became  extremely  light 
and  if  their  surfaces  were  not  interfered  with  pre- 
sented a  furry  appearance,  steel  grayish  in  color, 
which  would  if  the  finger  was  drawn  lightly  across 
it  receive  an  impression  like  that  made  upon  plush. 
I  did  not  further  examine  these  specimens  but  am 
satisfied  from  their  condition  that  animal  matter 
existed  in  preponderance;  which  is  self  evident,  and 
not  inorganic  material  as  our  writers  ascribed. 

It  is  not  a  disease  of  growth  as  is  thought,  for  in 
my  observations  I  find  it  affecting  the  equus  family 
under  all  circumstances,  without  regard  to  age,  sex 
or  habits  of  life.  We  also  find  its  subjects  both 
plethoric  and  anaemic.  Plethora  existing  only  in 
that  form  in  which  the  facial  enlargements  develop 
rapidly.  I  have  never  known  other  animals  to  be- 
come its  victim,  but  one  of  our  writers  however, 
describes  it  in  sheep.  The  horse  seems  to  become 
attacked  most  often  while  the  mule  is  rarely  affected, 
even  in  that  country  where  the  disease  is  most,  prev- 
alent and  they  are  used  almost  exclusively. 
CAUSES. 
It  has  been  attributed  to  various  causes,  and 
among  them  to  errors  of  diet.  G.  H.  Dadd  now 
deceased,  who  was  formerly  of  Chicago,  Illinois, 
and  who  evidently  gave  the  matter  a  great  deal  of 


220  VETERINART  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

thought,  (his  investigations  extending  over  that 
country  bordering  on  the  Ohio  River),  in  his  works 
on  equine  diseases  expresses  himself  as  being  of  the 
belief  that  its  cause  is  probably  traceable  directly  to 
the  feeding  of  Indian  corn.  But  this  idea  is  an 
erroneous  one,  as  we  find  it  existing  in  animals  that 
never  received  a  grain  of  maize.  The  same  author 
is  also  of  the  opinion  that  it  may  have  an  hereditary 
origin  as  he  says:  "Unless  this  be  the  case  we  can- 
not account  for  its  universal  prevalence."  Here 
again  he  is  in  error,  and  had  he  noted  the  formation 
of  those  localities  in  which  he  found  it  to  be  most 
prevalent,  although  universal  as  he  terms  it,  I  think 
possibly  his  opinion  would  have  been  altered.  I  shall 
not  attempt  myself  to  speak  positively  on  this  part 
of  the  subject,  but  will  give  the  history  of  a  few 
cases  and  leave  you  to  draw  your  own  conclusions : 
Case  i.  In  the  fall  of  1883  there  was  shipped 
from  the  western  states,  a  three-year-old  colt,  to  a 
malarial  district  of  one  of  the  Atlantic  bordering 
states;  she  being  richly  bred  was  intended  for  track 
purposes.  Her  food  consisting  principally  of  hay, 
oats  and  bran,  best  quality  grown  in  the  west,  for  all 
such  provender  used  in  the  cities  in  that  country,  is 
shipped  from  that  section.  Grass  was  given  to  her 
each  day  after  her  work  and  the  water  given  was 
obtained  from  a  cistern  which  was  filled  by  the 
water  shed  from  the  roofs  of  the  neighboring  build- 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  221 

ings.  The  quarters  were  good  as  regards  the  build- 
ing, while  the  care  taken  of  her  could  not  have  been 
better.  After  six  months'  stay,  she  developed  the 
disease  in  its  sub-acute  form,  but  recovered  partially 
without  treatment  and  lived  some  years  afterwards. 

Case  ii.  In  another  instance  there  were  a  num- 
ber of  horses  shipped  to  a  gulf  bordering  state,  inten- 
ded for  track  purposes  also,  and  receiving  their  food 
from  the  same  source;  the  quantity  and  kind  corre- 
sponding for  each,  and  likewise  with  that  in  the  case 
of  the  colt,  but  the  water  was  obtained  from  a  well 
on  the  premises.  One  of  the  number  developed  the 
trouble  in  an  acute  form  by  midwinter,  which  by 
the  way  is  very  mild  comparatively  in  that  country, 
and  recovered  partially  afterwards.  I  knew  of  the 
occurrence  in  a  sucking  colt,  running  in  a  pasture 
with  its  mother  which  gained  her  existence  from 
the  grasses  which  the  field  afforded,  and  watered  at 
will  from  a  stream  crossing  one  corner  of  the  lot. 
The  colt  made  a  partial  recovery  but  was  unfortu- 
nate enough  to  die  from  a  kick  inflicted  by  a  com- 
panion in  its  two-year-old  form. 

Case  in.  There  is  a  private  barn  in  one  of  the 
southern  cities  which  was  erected  in  1844,  on  the  bor- 
ders of  a  large  marsh  lying  within  a  few  hundred 
feet  of  its  doors.  It  contains  six  horses  which  are 
used  daily  for  draft  purposes,  their  food  being  hay, 
oats,  corn  and  bran,  and  the  water  is  obtained  from 


222  VETERINAR7'  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

the  city  reservoir  from  which  the  entire  inhabitants 
are  supplied.  In  three  months  after  occupying  their 
new  quarters,  an  eight-year-old  gelding,  which  had 
been  in  the  city  upwards  of  two  years,  fell  a  victim 
to  this  disease  in  its  most  acute  form ;  and  the  pro- 
prietors have  been  unfortunate  enough  to  lose  one 
or  two  from  the  same  cause  each  year  since. 

When  in  communication  with  that  excellent 
gentleman  and  veterinarian,  Alex.  Harthill,  Jr.,  of 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  who  has  given  this  subject  a 
great  deal  of  thought  and  investigation,  I  learned  of 
him  the  history  of  cases  corresponding  to  those  already 
given.  I  mention  this  fact  merely,  not  wishing  to 
enter  into  further  details,  so  as  to  intimate  corrobo- 
rating observations  as  gathered  from  another  whose 
experience  extends  over  a  longer  period. 

These  few  examples  I  hope  will  suffice,  and  by 
them  it  has  been  plainly  shown  that  the  quantity  or 
quality  of  food  or  water  or  season  of  the  year  has 
nothing  to  do  with  the  production  of  the  disease; 
but  you  will  observe  that  the  home  of  the  affection 
is  in  a  malarial  country  and  is  most  prevalent  where 
the  circumstances  are  the  most  favorable  for  the 
development  of  vegetable  micro-organisms.  Again 
you  will  notice  that  during  the  existence  of  the 
circumstances  seemingly,  under  which  it  was 
produced,  partial  repair  takes  place  through 
nature's  efforts  and  that  this  partial  repair  may  occur 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  223 

in  subjects  where  it  develops  either  of  its  forms, 
while  from  the  autopsy  and  other  evidence  you  will 
note  the  products  to  be  evidently  the  result  of  a 
primarily  localized  irritant.  And  that  the  irritant  is 
confined  to  the  blood  vessels  permeating  the  bones, 
producing  inflammation  which  runs  through  its 
various  stages,  causing  the  different  morbific  changes 
which  we  find  existing.  I  have  said  nothing  con- 
cerning its  transmission,  either  from  breeding  an  in- 
fected animal  or  by  infection,  but  do  possess  evi- 
dence pro  and  con  for  the  latter. 


*CHAPTER  XXI. 

FILLING  HORSES'  TEETH. 

It  is  only  of  late  years  that  the  filling  of  the  teeth 
of  our  domesticated  animals  has  been  in  practice. 

When  I  first  commenced  the  practice  of  veterinary 
dentistry  I  think  it  was  almost  unheard  of.  I  began 
to  see  the  need  of  it  more  and  more  every  year  as 
my  practice  increased  and  experience  grew  larger. 

I  have  repeatedly  watched  teeth  with  small  cav- 
ities and  seen  them  grow  larger  until  the  caries  ex- 
tended to  the  pulp  cavity,  when  extraction  was  the 
only  alternative. 

The  thought  often  came  to  me  that  these  teeth 
might  be  saved  if  properly  filled,  yet  I  did  not  at- 
tempt the  operation  until  after  attending  lectures  on 
human  dental  surgery. 

I  have  met  with  varying  success,  but  think  now 
that  in  cases  where  caries  has  not  gone  too  far,  that 
many  teeth  may  be  reclaimed  and  do  the  animal 
years  of  good  service.  Filling  the  teeth  of  animals 
is  only  practical  when  caries  first  commences,  as  the 
nerve  is  so  large  that  I  think  it  impossible  to  destroy 
it  and  remove  it  successfully  and  if  it  is  not  well 
done  it  is  better  not  done  at  all. 


*This  chapter  was  prepared  by  Dr.  Sayre,  D.  V.  S, 

224 


VETER1NART  DENTAL  SURGERY.  225 

From  my  present  knowledge  and  experience  I 
do  not  think  it  practical  to  attempt  to  fill  other  than 
the  incisors  and  the  first  three  molars,  as  I  have 
found  it  impossible  to  get  light  and  room  sufficient 
to  operate  back  of  that;  in  fact  it  is  extremely  diffi- 
cult to  fill  the  third  molar. 

In  writing  this  short  chapter  I  have  made  use  of 
Taft's  Operative  Dentistry  and  The  American  Sys- 
tem of  Dentistry,  which  I  would  recommend  to 
the  student  who  desires  to  make  himself  proficient 
in  this  branch  of  dental  surgery. 

As  our  knowledge  increases  we  will  see  the 
importance  of  this  operation  more,  and  I  predict 
that  in  a  few  years  filling  horses'  teeth  will  be  a 
common  practice.  It  is  the  only  treatment  we  have 
recourse  to  in  caries.  By  it  the  disease  is  checked 
and  the  lost  part  restored  to  usefulness  as  nearlv  as 
possible  by  any  foreign  substance. 

If  properly  and  skilfully  performed  the  opera- 
tion is  successful  in  preserving  teeth  which  would 
soon  have  to  be  extracted.  We  cannot  restore  lost 
parts  as  the  human  dental  surgeon  can,  for  various 
reasons.  The  food  is  too  hard.  Take,  for  instance, 
a  molar,  with  say  half  of  the  crown  gone.  In  the 
human  tooth  it  could  be  built  up  and  stand  the  wear, 
but  in  our  subjects,  in  which  the  process  of  masti- 
cation is  carried  on  almost  entirely  by  the  lateral 
motion,  it  would  dislodge  the  filling  in  the  first 
place,  and  wear  it  out  in  the  second. 


226 


VETERINAR  Y  DENTAL  SURGER  Y. 


INSTRUMENTS  FOR  FILLING. 
In  describing  the  instruments  used  in  fill- 
ing, I  will  take  them  in  the  order  in  which 
they  are  used,  first  referring  to  those  used  in 
examining  or  exploring  the  cavity,  then  those 
for  cutting  and  dressing  off  borders,  removing 


fig.  55.     Chisels, 


VETERINAR  Y  DENTAL  SURGER  Y. 


227 


decay  and  forming  the  cavity,  and  finally  those  for 

introducing,  consolidating   and  finishing  the  filling. 

EXPLORING  INSTRUMENTS. 

For  this  purpose  we  use 
the  small  excavators  used  in 
human  dental  surgery. 
There  are  an  endless  variety 
of  forms  manufactured  for 
/    this  purpose. 

CHISELS. 
These  are  strong  cutting 
instruments  used  in  open, 
ing  cavities  and  cutting  off 
projections  of  dentine  and 
enamel  and  cutting  down 
the  sides  of    the    cavity, 

Fig-  55- 

Of  these  the  dental  sur- 
geon should  have  a  large 
variety  of  sizes  and  shapes, 
as  it  is  with  them  that  almost 
the  entire  cavity  is  formed. 
The  dental  engine  has 
almost  wholly  superseded 
the  use  of  hand  drills  in 
human  practice,  and  the  veterinary  dentist  is  even 
more  dependent  upon  it,  as  it  is  impossible  to  use 
hand  drills  in  cavities  in  some  of  the  molars,  because 


fig.  55.     Chisels. 


228 


VETERINAR2"  DENTAL  SURGERT. 


the  mouth  cannot  be  opened  wide  enough,  they  are 
easily    drilled    out    with    the   engine    by    using    the 


FIG.  56,     Hand  Burs  and  Drills, 


VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  TJRGER  T. 


229 


hand  piece,  which  operates  at  an  angle   of   about  45 
degrees. 

Fig  56  shows  a  variety  of  drills,  the  cone,  round 
and  bud  being  the  ones  most  used,  the  inverted  cones 


fig.  56.     Hand  Burs  and  Drills. 


230 


VE  TERINAR  Y  DENTAL  SURGER  Y. 


being  used  in  cavities   in   the  molars   which    ||| 
are    sometimes  made   larger   at   the  bottom 
than  at  the  orifice. 

FILLING  INSTRUMENTS. 


Fig.  57  represents 
Dr.  B.  F.  Arling- 
ton's set  for  the  in- 
troduction of  amal- 
gam, gutta-percha 
and  cement  fillingrs, 


fig.  58. 


and  I  think  it  is  the  best  set  of  pluggers  for 
the  veterinary  dentist. 


VE  TERINAR  Y  DENTAL  SURGER  Y. 


FIG. 


59- 


232 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 


Fig.  58  is  a  very  convenient  instrument  for  carry- 
ing the  amalgam  to  the  cavity. 

There  are  a  number  of  carriers  and  fillers  which 
are  very  convenient  in  filling. 

No.  1  is  Dr.  Thomas  Fry's  which  has  a  fixed 
point  covered  by  a  projecting  tube,  thus  forming  a 


fig.  60.     Arkansas,  Hindostan  and  Scotch  Stones. 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  233 

cup  which  recedes  on  pressure  so  that  the  point 
forces  the  amalgam  into  the  cavity.  No.  2,  Dr.  W. 
S.  Elliott's,  and  No.  3,  Dr.  W.  B.  Miller's  are  opera- 
ted in  the  same  manner. 

Fig.  60  represents  a  set  of  corundum  points, 
cones  and  disks  for  finishing  and  polishing  fillings; 
these  are  on  short  stocks  to  be  used  with  the  engine. 
The  same  forms  are  made  of  Arkansas,  Scotch  and 
Hindostan  stone. 

MATERIALS  FOR  FILLING. 

Of  the  materials  used  in  filling  teeth,  I  will  only 
describe  those  that  I  think  best  adapted  to  our  pur- 
pose. 

Amalgam.  This  is  rather  a  broad  term  applied 
to  all  the  preparations  formed  by  combining  mercury 
with  various  other  metals.  Those  most  commonly 
used  are  silver  and  tin,  but  occasionally  gold,  zinc, 
lead,  platinum  and  cadmiun. 

"The  kind  most  in  use  is  prepared  by  melting 
together  and  carefully  mixing  pure  tin  and  silver, 
and  filing  this  when  cooled,  into  dust,  combining 
the  latter  with  mercury  in  sufficient  proportion  to 
give  the  requisite  plasticity,  and  then  thoroughly 
washing  the  whole  in  alcohol  or  boiling  water 
to  remove  the  oxides  formed  during  the  combina- 
tion of  the  metals"— (Taft.)  I  like  this  the  best  for 
filling  the  teeth  of  animals  as  it  is  easily  and  quickly 
introduced  and  is  the  most  durable. 


234  VE  TERINA  R  Y  DENTAL  S  UR  GER  Y. 

Gutta  percha  is  useful  for  temporary  fillings,  or 
fillings  where  there  is  not  much  wear,  as  cavities  in 
the  labial  surface  of  the  incisors.  It  is  very  easily 
introduced ;  all  that  is  necessary  is  a  spirit  lamp  to 
warm  it  until  it  becomes  plastic  or  it  may  be  immersed 
in  boiling  water,  when  it  will  readily  conform  itself 
to  the  cavity. 

FILLING  THE  TEETH. 

Having  considered  the  instruments,  materials  and 
cases  in  which  filling  is  practical,  we  will  now  pro- 
ceed with  the  operation,  first  taking  the  incisors  and 
then  the  molars. 

Here  we  labor  under  difficulties  which  the  human 
dental  surgeon  does  not  have  to  contend  with;  our 
patients  will  not  come  to  our  office  and  sit  in  a  chair 
with  head  in  any  position  desired ;  on  the  contrary, 
we  have  to  work  in  almost  any  position  to  suit  him; 
or  confine  him,  which  I  dislike  to  do  and  only  find 
it  necessary  in  filling  the  molars. 

I  find  in  operating  on  the  incisors  that  a  gag 
is  very  convenient.  It  should  be  about  eight 
inches  long  and  three  inches  in  diameter,  with  a 
hole  about  an  inch  from  each  end,  through  which 
a  clothes  line  is  passed  and  over  the  top  of  the  head 
to  retain  it  in  the  mouth.  Around  this  I  wrap  a  rub- 
bing cloth  to  protect  the  bars  of  the  mouth  from  in- 
jury, and  it  will  also  absorb  a  great  deal  of  saliva. 
If  we  are  going  to   operate  on  the  lower  teeth  we 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT.  235 

will  wrap  another  cloth  about  them   to   keep  them 
dry. 

Having  our  patient  ready,  we  must  first  give  the 
teeth  a  thorough  examination.  This  should  not  be 
hurriedly  done,  for  on  it  the  subsequent  work  de- 
pends. For  this  purpose  we  should  have  a  large  vari- 
ety of  fine  pointed  instruments,  so  curved  and  formed 
as  to  be  easily  brought  in  contact  with  all  parts  of 
the  tooth,  so  as  to  detect  any  defect  that  may  exist. 


fig.  61.     Mouth  Speculum,  Simons'. 

For  this  purpose  we  use  the  small  exploring 
instruments. 

To  open  the  cavity  we  will  use  the  bur  drill  and 
large  chisels  (Fig  56  and  55),  using  the  chisel  to  cut 
down  the  sides  of  the  cavity.  This  may  be  done  by 
hand  or  with  the  mallet.  The  drills  are  used  in  the 
bottom  of  the  cavity.  The  fine  drill  should  always 
follow  the  chisel  to  smooth  and  even  up  the  surface 
cut. 

In  our  subjects  it  is  best  to  remove  all  decayed 
portions. 


236  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

In  operating  on  the  human  tooth  the  decayed 
portion  is  not  always  entirely  removed.  In  cases 
where  the  dentine  is  entirely  decomposed  down  to 
the  pulp,  when  by  its  removal  the  pulp  would  be 
exposed,  it  is  thought  by  some  operators  that  the  de- 
cayed dentine  gives  better  protection  to  the  pulp 
than  any  artificial  covering. 

By  others  it  is  thought  that  the  decayed  dentine 
being  in  an  abnormal  condition,  will  irritate  the  pulp 
and  in  many  cases  destroy  it. 

The  ultimate  destruction  of  the  pulp  and  tooth 
seems  the  most  rational  consequence  of  confining 
the  decayed  dentine  in  the  cavity.  In  my  opinion 
the  decayed  dentine,  being  in  a  diseased  condition, 
acts  as  a  fountain  head  of  disease,  and  filling  over  it 
is  like  trying  to  stop  a  train  going  down  grade  with- 
out putting  on  the  brake.  "Yet  cases  are  cited 
where  fillings  have  been  introduced  into  cavities  at 
the  bottom  of  which  a  portion  of  softened  dentine 
covered  the  pulp,  and  on  removal  of  them  in  from 
one  to  five  years  afterward,  all  parts  were  found  to 
be  equally  and  normally  dense."     (Taft.) 

Whether  decayed  dentine  covering  the  pulp 
should  be  removed  or  not,  I  will  leave  each  student 
to  decide  for  himself. 

There  are  some  particulars  in  which  all  operators 
agree:  First — That  all  decomposed  dentine  should 
be  removed   from  all  parts  of  the   cavity  when  the 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  237 

pulp  would  not  be  injured  thereby,  and  especially 
from  the  lateral  walls  and  the  orifice. 

In  removing  the  decomposed  dentine  such  instru- 
ments should  be  selected  as  would  seem  best  adapted 
to  the  purpose. 

In  cutting,  the  direction  should  be  from  the  near- 
est point  of  pulp  exposure  toward  the  orifice  of  the 
cavity. 

In  removing  decomposed  dentine  we  must  not 
forget  that  the  cavity  must  be  so  formed  as  to  retain 
the  filling  when  properly  introduced.  To  do  this  it 
is  most  always  necessary  to  remove  more  or  less 
solid  dentine  to  secure  suitable  retaining  points. 

"  In  large  cavities  where  one  side  of  the  tooth  is 
weak,  places  must  be  selected  for  making  retaining 
points  that  will  least  affect  the  weak  point."    (Taft.) 

There  are  several  ways  of  forming  retaining 
points.  Under-cutting  and  grooving  is  practiced  by 
some,  others  preferring  to  drill  little  holes  or  pits 
into  the  dentine,  these  taking  effect  in  different  direc- 
tions. 

After  the  cavity  is  formed  and  before  introducing 
the  filling,  it  must  be  thoroughly  dried  with  bibulous 
paper  and  the  warm  air  blow  pipe. 

This  instrument  is  made  of  a  small  blow  pipe, 
with  a  cylinder  about  two  inches  from  the  point. 
This  cylinder  is  made  of  some  heavy  metal,  so  as  to 
retain  heat.  On  the  other  end  is  an  india-rubber  ball, 


238  VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  Y. 

To  manipulate  the  instrument,  first  heat  the  cylin- 
der, then  by  pressure  on  the  ball  with  the  thumb  a 
current  of  hot  air  is  forced  into  the  cavity,  which  has 
been  first  dried  with  bibulous  paper.  This  soon 
dries  it  perfectly,  the  walls  of  the  cavity  becoming 
white  as  it  dries.  We  now  have  our  cavity  ready 
for  the  introduction  of  the  filling. 

In  preparing  amalgam  for  introduction,  put  a 
sufficient  quantity  in  a  mortar,  add  mercury  sufficient 
to  give  the  requisite  plasticity,  and  then  wash  thor- 
oughly to  remove  the  oxide  formed  during  the  com- 
bination of  the  metals. 

The  excess  of  mercury  can  be  removed  by  press- 
ing the  paste  in  a  piece  of  chamois  or  between  the 
thumb  and  finger  with  a  rolling  or  rocking  motion. 
After  the  mercury  has  been  pressed  out,  break  up  in- 
to small  pieces  and  insert  into  the  cavity  pressing 
down  each  piece  firmly  until  the  cavity  is  full,  when 
it  should  be  finished  with  the  corundum  points  or 
disks,  Fig.  60,  and  followed  by  the  burnisher. 
Burnishing  is  done  by  rubbing  the  round  smooth 
surface  over  the  filling  until  it  is  perfectly  smooth 
and  bright. 

In  filling  the  molars  the  same  course  is  followed, 
but  we  find  it  often  necessary  to  cast  the  animal  so 
as  to  obtain  light,  and  confine  the  head  in  position 
suitable  for  work;  we  also  find  it  necessary  to  use  a 
speculum  to  keep   the   mouth  open.     There  are  a 


VETERINART  DENTAL  SURGERY.  239 

large  variety  of  these  in  the  market,  Dr.  E.  A.  A. 
Grange's,  being  probably  the  best,  Fig.  61.  In 
drilling  out  the  cavities  in  the  molars  we  have  to  de- 
pend almost  exclusively  on  the  dental  engine,  as  the 
hand  drills  cannot  be  used  in  the  mouth.  The  hand 
piece  referred  to  before  Fig.  56,  operating  at  right 
angles,  or  Fig.  57  operating  at  an  acute  angle,  are 
the  only  instruments  with  which  cavities  back  of  the 
first  molar  can  be  made.  In  preparing  the  cavities 
great  care  should  be  taken  to  obtain  suitable  retaining 
points;  in  the  molars  we  can  leave  the  cavity  larger 
at  the  bottom  than  at  the  orifice,  dove-tailing  it  as  it 
were.  This  form  retains  the  filling  well,  but  great 
care  must  be  exercised  in  filling,  to  have  it  pressed 
firmly  against  the  walls  of  the  cavity  so  as  to  support 
them,  otherwise  they  will  be  crushed  in. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

DETERMINATION   OF  THE  AGE  OF  THE  HORSE, 
OX,  SHEEP,  PIG  AND  DOG. 

DENTITION   IN    THE    HORSE. 

The  teeth  are  the  only  means  at  our  command  by 
which  we  can  determine  the  age  of  the  domestic 
animals  in  a  scientific  manner.  For  years  this  subject 
has  been  treated  by  various  authors.  Drawings  have 
been  made,  I  might  say  from  time  immemorial,  a 
great  many  of  them  the  result  of  a  vivid  imagination, 
others  true  copies  of  them ;  or  they  may  have  been 
slightly  altered  to  suit  the  fancy  of  the  author. 
When  we  compare  these  drawings  with  what  actual- 
ly exists  in  nature,  we  notice  a  vast  discrepancy  in  a 
majority  of  cases.  Observation  on  the  teeth  of  the 
living  animal,  is  the  only  means  by  which  we  can 
become  adepts  at  determining  the  age  of  the  domes- 
tic animals. 

At  birth  the  foal  has  two  central  temporary  incis- 
ors, either  in  sight  or  covered  with  a  thin  membrane 
which  disappears  by  the  fourth  or  fifth  day.  They 
are  always  partially  covered  when  through,  the  an- 
terior portion  of  the  tooth  only  protruding. 

The  i,  2,  3,*  molars  are  also  completely  covered 

*See  Fig.  15, 

240 


VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T.  241 

by  the  gums  at  birth,  but  make  their  appearance  in 
from  one  to  five  days. 

At  two  weeks  the  central  incisors  will  be  well  up 
and  the  extreme  corners  of  the  lateral  incisors  will 
be  visible  under  the  gum,  and  are  through  about  the 
third  or  fourth  week.  At  six  to  eight  weeks  both 
pairs  as  well  as  the  temporary  molars  are  well  up 
and  the  foal  able  to  masticate  solid  food.  The  cen- 
tral incisors  have  their  surface  very  slightly  worn, 
the  infundibulum  not  yet  being  entirely  surrounded 
by  structures  which  have  come  into  wear.  The 
wear  of  the  lateral  incisors  is  confined  to  the  anterior 
edge  nearest  the  central  teeth. 

From  two  to  seven  months  no  perceptible  change 
in  the  teeth  is  noticed,  except  that  those  already  up 
increase  in  size  bringing  the  whole  of  their  table  sur- 
face into  wear.  Sometimes  however,  the  posterior 
border  of  the  incisors  do  not  come  up  even  with  the 
anterior  border  until  later. 

At  from  seven  to  eight  months  the  anterior  bor- 
der of  the  corner  incisors  may  be  seen  protruding 
through  the  gum.  At  nine  months  they  are  entirely 
through,  with  their  anterior  edges  even  with  the  edges 
of  the  other  incisor  teeth.  A  triangular  space  pos- 
teriorly and  externally  will  still  remain  out  of  wear. 

The  fourth  molar,  which  is  permanent,  now 
makes  its  appearance  and  by  the  end  of  the  first  year 
is  even  with  the  temporary   molars  but   has   not  yet 


242  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

come  into  wear.  This  when  it  can  be  examined  is 
almost  positive  evidence  as  to  the  age. 

If  the  mouth  of  a  colt  be  closely  examined  at 
from  six  to  nine  months,  small  spicules  of  bone,  or 
more  properly  teeth,  will  be  noticed  making  their 
appearance  just  back  (and  at  the  same  time)  of  the 
corner  teeth;  these  are  the  deciduous  or  temporary 
canine  teeth.  I  have  never  noticed  them  in  a  filly. 
They  are  shed  in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks,  usually 
by  the  time  the  corner  incisors  are  up  and  in  wear. 

If  the  colt  is  large  and  well  developed,  it  may  at 
this  age  be  mistaken  for  a  two-year-old,  for  the  in- 
cisor teeth  are  very  much  alike  at  one  and  two  years 
of  age. 

The  incisor  teeth  of  a  yearling  somewhat  resem- 
ble those  of  a  five-year-old.  No  one,  however,  could 
mistake  a  yearling  for  a  five-year-old,  unless  it  be 
among  the  ponies  which  have  to  shift  for  themselves, 
in  which  the  general  appearance  of  youth  is  quickly 
lost;  such  is  said  to  be  the  case  in  some  instances 
with  the  ponies  on  the  western  plains. 

At  about  eighteen  months  the  fifth  molar,  perma- 
nent, begins  to  protrude  or  can  be  felt  immediately 
under  the  gums.  At  two  years  it  is  level  with  the 
other  molars,  but  not  yet  worn  away  on  the  table 
surface. 

At  two  years  the  incisors  all  have  their  table  sur- 
faces in  wear,  with  the  exception  of  an  occasional 


VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER 1 .  243 

case,  which  yet  retains  more  or  less  of  the  triangular 
depression  on  the  posterior  borders  of  the  corner 
incisors. 

Between  two  and  three  years  of  age  begins  that 
change  in  the  dentition  of  the  horse  which  often 
becomes  a  source  of  annoyance.  Some  animals 
grow  thin  and  do  not  again  pick  up  in  flesh  until  the 
fifth  year  is  reached.  At  this  age  the  central  tem- 
porary incisors  are  replaced  by  permanent  teeth. 
Soon  after  two  years  there  will  be  signs  of  shedding 
of  these  teeth.  The  gums  surrounding  the  necks  of 
these  teeth  are  somewhat  sunken  and  more  or  less 
congested.  A  red  line  is  noticed  surrounding  the 
teeth,  and  it  is  evident  all  but  a  small  portion  of  the 
roots  have  been  absorbed. 

At  two  and  one-half  years  the  temporary  teeth 
will  have  been  pushed  off  and  the  permanent  ones 
appear.  These  permanent  teeth  are  easily  recog- 
nized by  their  general  appearance.  They  are  much 
wider  than  the  temporary  teeth,  about  half  grown, 
with  deep  cavities  on  their  posterior  border.  At 
this  age  they  are  only  about  half  developed,  conse- 
quently there  is  considerable  space  between  the 
upper  and  lower  central  incisors,  when  the  mouth  is 
closed. * 

At  two  years  and  eight  months  to  two  years 
and  nine  months  the  anterior  border  of  the  table  sur- 


*  The  teeth  of  the  lower  jaw  usually  precede  those  of  the  upper  jaw  by 
several  weeks,  and  are  the  ones  examined  in  determining  the  age. 


244  VE  TERINAR  T  DENT  A  L  S  URGER 1 . 

face  will  have  come  into  contact.  At  three  years 
these  edges  have  come  into  wear,  but  not  the  poster- 
ior edges.  These  edges  do  not  come  into  wear 
until  from  eight  months  to  one  year  later. 

At  two  and  one-half  years  another  important 
change  is  taking  place.  The  first  and  second  tem- 
porary molars  are  shed  and  replaced  by  permanent 
teeth.  They  are  up  and  in  wear  by  three  years  to 
three  years  and  two  months. 

From  the  third  to  the  fourth  year  the  lateral 
incisors  make  their  appearance  in  the  same  manner  as 
noticed  in  the  central. 

The  third  molar  is  replaced  by  a  permanent  one 
at  three  to  three  and  one-half  years,  and  the  sixth 
molar  makes  its  appearance  as  a  permanent  tooth. 

At  four  years  the  lateral  incisors  have  their  an- 
terior border  in  apposition.  The  posterior  surface 
has  not  yet  come  into  wear.  The  third  and  sixth 
molars  are  level  or  nearly  level  with  the  other 
molars.  The  tusks,  canine,  or  "bridle"  teeth  usually 
make  their  appearance  at  the  fourth  year,  but  are  not 
fully  developed  until  the  horse  is  five  to  five  and  one- 
half  years  old.  They  have  no  value  in  determining 
the  age  of  the  animal,  their  period  of  cutting  being 
exceedingly  variable.  In  the  mare  there  are  usually 
no  canine  teeth  developed;  should  they  however, 
be  present  they  are  small  and  blunt  and  do  not  make 
their  appearance  until  a  later  period,  about  the  sixth 
or  seventh  year. 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT.  245 

The  corner  incisors  are  all  the  temporary  teeth 
remaining  at  this  time.  At  four  to  four  and  one- 
half  years  they  are  replaced  by  permanent  teeth. 

At  the  fifth  year  the  anterior  border  of  the  cor- 
ner incisors  meet,  the  triangular  space  on  the  poster- 
ior surface  of  these  teeth  yet  remains  and  is  very 
characteristic  of  a  five-year-old.  The  tables  of  the 
lateral  incisors  are  now  fully  formed,  the  central  cav- 
ity being  surrounded  by  a  line  of  worn  surface.  At 
this  age  a  horse  is  said  to  have  a  full  mouth. 

If  we  carefully  examine  the  above  facts  we  can 
see  some  reason  for  the  oft  repeated  statement:  "I 
had  rather  work  a  three  than  a  four-year-old  horse, 
for  they  can  better  stand  the  work."  Between  the 
fourth  and  fifth  years  the  dental  changes  are  the  cut- 
ting of  four  permanent  incisors,  four  canine  and 
eight  molars  making  sixteen  teeth  which  are  all 
growing  at  one  time.  Is  it  a  wonder  that  the  ani- 
mal often  suffers  severely  and  is  unable  to  take  much 
solid  food? 

After  the  fifth  year  the  age  of  the  horse  is  deter- 
mined by  examining  the  cavities  and  general  appear- 
ance of  the  (lower)  incisor  teeth. 

At  six  years  the  cavities  of  the  corner  incisor  teeth 
are  completely  surrounded  by  a  line  of  worn  surface. 

The  central  incisors  have  their  cavities  partially 
worn  out.  Their  boundaries  however  are  distinctly 
marked  by  the  central   enamel  with  which  it  is  sur- 


246  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

rounded.  These  cavities  are  nearer  the  posterior 
than  the  anterior  edge  of  the  tooth.  The  depression 
on  the  internal  surface  of  the  tusks  is  yet  well  de- 
fined. 

At  seven  years  the  table  surface  of  the  corner 
teeth  are  perfectly  formed  and  the  cavity  in  the 
tooth  very  shallow.  The  central  enamel  is  eliptical 
and  nearer  the  posterior  than  the  anterior  border  of 
the  tooth.  The  cavities  of  the  lateral  incisors  are 
oval  and  nearly  worn  out  of  the  tooth.  In  the  cen- 
tral incisor  the  central  enamel  is  triangular.  The 
tusks  are  somewhat  worn,  giving  them  a  blunted 
appearance. 

At  eight  years  the  central  enamel  of  the  central 
incisors  is  triangular  in  form  and  near  the  posterior 
border.  The  table  surface  also  begins  to  narrow 
from  side  to  side.  The  central  enamel  of  the  lateral 
incisors  is  triangular  and  the  cavity  nearly  obliter- 
ated. 

At  nine  years  the  central  enamel  of  the  central 
incisor  teeth  is  round  and  near  the  posterior  border. 
The  lateral  incisors  have  the  central  enamel  oval  and 
near  the  posterior  border.  That  of  the  corner  is  tri- 
angular and  the  cavity  nearly  obliterated  by  wear. 

After  the  ninth  year  the  age  of  the  horse  can  not 
be  accurately  determined,  but  there  are  general  ap- 
pearances which  will  assist  in  arriving  at  the  approx- 
imate age  of  the  animal. 


VETER1NART  DENTAL  SURGERT.         247 

At  ten  years  the  central  enamel  of  the  central 
incisors  has  disappeared,  and  that  of  the  lateral 
incisor  is  round  and  near  the  posterior  border.  The 
central  enamel  of  the  corner  incisors  is  oval. 

At  eleven  the  central  enamel  of  the  lateral  in- 
cisors has  disappeared,  and  that  of  the  corners  is 
round. 

At  twelve  the  central  enamel  of  the  corner 
incisors   has  disappeared. 

At  thirteen  the  table  surface  of  the  central  in- 
cisors has  become  triangular. 

At  fourteen  the  table  surface  of  the  lateral  incis- 
ors are  triangular. 

At  fifteen  the  table  surface  of  the  corner  incisors 
is  triangular. 

At  sixteen  the  diameter  of  the  table  surface,  from 
before  back,  exceeds  the  lateral  diameter  in  the  cen- 
tral incisors. 

At  seventeen  the  diameter  of  the  table  surface, 
from  before  back,  exceeds  the  lateral  diameter  in  the 
lateral  incisors. 

At  eighteen  the  diameter  of  the  table  surface, 
from  before  back,  exceeds  the  lateral  diameters  in 
all  the  incisor  teeth. 

Gray  hair  around  the  eyes  and  over  the  face, 
and  depressions  behind  the  orbits,  are  indicative  of 
advanced  age  and  help  one  to  form  a  pretty  correct 
idea  of  the  age  of  the  animal.     Sometimes  fraud  is 


248  VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T. 

resorted  to  in  order  to  deceive  and  cover  up  the 
marks  of  old  age.  False  marks  are  made  on  the  table 
surface  of  the  teeth.  This  is  known  as  "bishoping." 
The  gray  hairs  are  painted,  called  "  gypping."  The 
depressions  above  the  eyes  pricked  and  blown  up 
with  air.  This  is  known  as  "puffing  the  glym." 
DENTITION  IN  THE  OX. 
The  teeth  of  cattle  and  pigs  are  not  so  regular  in 
their  appearance  and  changes  as  those  of  the  horse, " 
hence  they  can  not  be  relied  upon  to  give  the  same 
degree  of  accuracy.  This  is  due  to  the  manner  in 
which  they  are  kept.  Cases  of  extraordinary  devel- 
opment of  the  dentition  in  these  animals  have  been 
noticed  at  the  late  Fat  Stock  Shows.  They  no  doubt 
were  due  to  the  method  of  feeding  resorted  to,  in 
order  to  produce  early  maturing  animals.  Cattle 
which  are  reared  for  purely  dairy  purposes  do  not 
shed  their  temporary  teeth  and  complete  dentition  at 
as  early  an  age  as  do  the  beef  breeds;  nor  are  the 
processes  of  dentition  as  variable  in  the  former  as  the 
latter.  The  mode  of  dentition  which  I  shall  describe 
is  founded  upon  observation  among  various  members 
of  the  Holstein  breed  of  cattle. 

The  teeth,  as  indicative  of  the  age  of  the  ox,  is 
not  to  be  depended  upon  after  the  fifth  year,  but  up 
to  that  time  the  regularity  with  which  they  make 
their  appearance  and  changes,  form  a  fair  basis  by 
which  to  judge  the  age  of  the  animal. 


VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY.  249 

The  incisor  teeth  of  the  ox  are  eight  in  number, 
and  all  located  in  the  lower  jaw. 

At  birth,  all  the  incisors  and  temporary  molars 
(  i,  2,  3,)  are  so  far  advanced  that  they  may  be  seen 
under  the  gums,  and  by  the  end  of  the  first  month 
are  through  and  fully  developed.  These  teeth  retain 
about  the  same  appearance,  and  no  accurate  opinion 
can  be  formed  from  observation  until  the  sixth 
month,  when  the  fourth  molar  (permanent)  makes 
its  appearance. 

At  one  year  and  six  months  the  fifth  molar 
appears. 

At  one  year  and  eight  months  to  two  years  the 
central  incisors  are  shed  and  replaced  by  permanent 
teeth,  which  are  much  wider  and  larger  in  every 
respect  than  the  temporary  teeth.  Somewhat  later, 
the  sixth  and  last  molar  makes  its  appearance,  and  is 
fully  developed  by  the  second  year. 

Up  to  this  time,  should  an  error  arise  with  regard 
to  the  age  of  an  animal,  through  the  examination  of 
the  incisors,  it  can  be  corrected  by  examining  the 
molars. 

At  two  to  two  and  one-half  years,  the  first  and 
second  molars  are  replaced  by  permanent  teeth, 
which  are  up  and  in  wear  at  three  years  of  age. 
The  third  molar  is  replaced  by  a  permanent  tooth 
about  six  months  later. 

At  from  two  years  and  four  months  to  two  years 


850  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERT. 

and  six  months,  the  first  intermediate  (internal  lat- 
eral) incisors  are  shed  and  replaced  by  permanent 
teeth,  which  are  up  and  in  wear  at  three  years. 

The  third  pair  of  incisors  or  second  intermedi- 
ates (external  lateral)  are  shed  at  three  years  and 
replaced  by  permanent  teeth,  which  are  up  and  in 
wear  at  four  years  old. 

The  cutting  of  the  corner  incisor  is  variable, 
indeed  as  much  so  as  the  canines  in  the  horse,  and 
very  little  reliance  can  be  placed  upon  their  appear- 
ance. They  may  appear  anywhere  from  three  and 
one-half  to  four  and  one-half  years.  They  always 
are  up  and  in  wear  by  the  fifth  year.  All  the  teeth 
at  this  time  show  worn  table  surfaces.  Dentition  is 
always  more  advanced  in  bulls  (and  the  better  bred 
the  earlier  the  process  of  dentition  is  completed)  than 
in  steers  or  females.  After  the  fifth  year  the  teeth 
form  no  true  basis  by  which  to  judge  the  age.  If 
the  cattle  have  horns,  the  age  can  be  calculated  from 
the  appearance  of  the  rings  on  the  horns.  For  the 
first  two  years  the  rings  are  so  indistinct  that  the 
first  ring  indicates  a  three  years'  growth,  and  by 
adding  one  year  thereafter  for  each  ring,  we  get  the 
correct  age,  so  that  an  animal  with  four  rings  would 
be  six  years  old,  an  animal  with  six  rings  eight  years 
old,  and  one  with  eight  rings  ten  years  old. 
DENTITION   IN   THE   SHEEP. 

At  birth  the  lamb  is  usually  without  incisor  teeth, 


VE  TERINAR  T  DENTAL  S  URGER  T.  251 

but  they  are  visible  under  the  gum.  The  centrals 
make  their  appearance  first,  and  are  rapidly  suc- 
ceeded by  the  other  pairs  in  their  order,  so  that  by 
the  fourth  week  they  are  fully  developed.  At 
eighteen  months  the  central  incisors  are  replaced  by 
permanent  teeth,  which  are  up  and  in  wear  at  two 
years  old. 

At  two  years  the  first  intermediate  (internal  lat- 
eral) are  shed  and  permanent  teeth  take  their  place. 
These  are  up  and  in  wear  by  the  third  year. 

From  three  years  to  three  years  and  two  months, 
the  second  intermediate  (external  lateral)  are  shed 
and  replaced  by  permanent  teeth,  which  are  up  and 
in  wear  by  the  fourth  year. 

From  three  years  and  nine  months  to  four  years 
and  three  months,  the  corner  incisors  are  shed  and 
permanent  teeth  appear,  which  are  up  and  in  wear 
by  the  fifth  year. 

The  changes  which  take  place  in  the  dentition  of 
the  molar  teeth  are  relatively  the  same  as  in  the  ox. 
DENTITION   IN   THE   PTG. 

The  pig  is  born  with  eight  temporary  teeth,  the 
corner  incisors  and  the  tusks.  At  three  to  four 
weeks  the  first  incisors  make  their  appearance,  and 
at  eight  weeks  the  second  incisors  are  cut.  At  one 
month  the  first  four  molars  are  cut,  and  are  tem- 
porary, with  the  exception  of  the  first,  which  is  per- 
manent.    At    nine  months   to   one  year   the  corner 


252  VETERINARY  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

incisors  and  tusks  are  shed  and  permanent  teeth  take 
their  place.  At  twelve  months  the  central  incisors, 
at  thirteen  months  the  third  and  fourth  molars,  at 
fourteen  months  the  second  molar,  and  at  eighteen 
months  the  lateral  incisors,  are  replaced  by  perma- 
nent teeth.  At  five  months  the  fifth  molar  is  cut  as 
permanent,  at  nine  months  the  sixth  and  at  eighteen 
months  the  seventh  molars  appear  as  permanent 
teeth. 

DENTITION    IN   THE    DOG. 

The  dog  is  born  with  the  eyes  shut;  they  open 
about  the  ninth  or  tenth  day  after  birth.  The  whole 
of  the  milk  teeth  are  cut  by  that  time  or  shortly 
after. 

At  one  year  to  one  year  and  three  months  the 
nferior  incisors  begin  to  wear,  and  the  space  be- 
tween the  upper  central  begins  to  widen. 

At  eighteen  to  twenty-four  months  the  central 
incisors  are  much  worn,  and  from  two  to  two  and 
one-half  years  the  lateral  incisors  are  worn;  at  three 
to  four  years  all  the  incisor  teeth,  both  upper  and 
lower,  show  much  wear.  After  this,  the  general 
appearance  of  the  teeth,  their  bluntness  and  yellow 
color,  will  assist  in  forming  some  idea  as  to  the  age 
of  the  animal. 


VE  TERINAR  T  DEN TAL  SURGER  Y. 


253 


Central 

Lateral 

External 

Lateral 

Corner 

Tusks,  or 

Canine 

Molars,  1 

6.... 

5* 

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At  birth. 

At  birth. 
10  to  14  days. 
2  to  4  weeks. 
2  to  4  weeks. 

At   birth. 

6  months. 
\Yi  years. 
2)4  years. 

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3  to  4  weeks. 
5  weeks. 
5  weeks. 
At  birth. 
At  birth. 

7  weeks. 

8  days. 
8  days. 

13  months. 
5  months. 
9  months. 
18  months. 

» 

d 

3 

3 

1  year. 
W»  years. 
W%  years. 
9  months. 
9  months. 

5  months. 

14  months. 
13  months. 

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5  to  6  mos. 

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INDEX. 

PAGE. 

Abscess,  Alveolar i8[ 

Age  of  the  Horse,  by  means  of  Dentition 240 

Age  of  the  Ox,  by  means  of  Dentition 248 

Age  of  the  Sheep,  by  means  of  Dentition 250 

Age  of  the  Pig,  by  means  of  Dentition 251 

Age  of  the  Dog,  by  means  of  Dentition 252 

Anatomy  of  the  Head 7 

Anatomy  of  the  Teeth 15,  26 

Canine  Teeth,  Deciduous 34,  40,  42 

Caries  of  the  Teeth 72,  76 

Caries  of  the  Teeth — How  diagnosed 74 

Caries  of  the  Teeth — Progress  of 75 

Caries  of  the  Teeth — Symptoms  of 78 

Caries  of  the  Teeth— Effects  of 80 

Caries  of  the  Teeth — Treatment 87 

Cribbing 174 

Cysts,  Dental 124 

Dental  formula  of  Horse 54 

Dental  formula  of  Ox 60 

Dental  Neuralgia 1 19 

Dental  Cysts 124 

Dental  Cysts,  Williams = 129 

Denuding  of  the  Teeth 88 

Denuding  of  the  Teeth,  Causes 91 

Denuding  of  the  Teeth,  Treatment 92 

Dental  Pulp 19 

Dentine 16 

Dentition,  Temporary  in  the  Horse 31,  33 

Dentition,  Temporary  in  the  Ox 35 

Dentition,  Temporary  in  the  Dog 39 

Dentition,  Temporary  in  the  Pig 41 

Dentition,  Permanent 50 

254 


INDEX.  255 

PACK. 

Dentition,  Permanent  formula  of 51 

Dentition,  Cough  of 66 

Dentition,  Table  of 253 

Diseases  due  to  Dentition^ 61 

Diseases  due  to  Dentition,  Symptoms 65 

Diseases  due  to  Dentition,  Williams 71 

Enamel. - 16 

Exostosis 94 

Exostosis,  Cause 95 

Exostosis,    Character 102 

Exostosis  on  the  walls  of  Sinus 104 

Exostosis,  Treatment  of 102 

Exostosis,  Varieties  of 102 

Epulis 192 

Filling  Horses'  Teeth 224 

Filling  Horses' Teeth,  Instruments  for 226 

Filling  Horses' Teeth,  Materials  for 238 

Foreign  Substances 115 

Fractures  of  the  Teeth 119 

Fractures,  Superficial  of  Lower  Jaw 168 

Fractures  by  the  Curb 17° 

Glanders 196 

Gleet,  Nasal 195 

Gums,  Tumors  of 189 

House,  C.  D 123 

Incisors .31,  33,  36,  37,  39,  4°.  42 

Lampas 135 

Maxilla,   Superior 7 

Maxilla,  Inferior 11 

Molars,  Temporary 31,  33,  39,  4°,  44 

Molars,    Permanent 55,  58 

Nasal  Gleet. 195 

Teeth,  Extraction  of 55 

Teeth,  Fractures  of 119 

Teeth,  Incisors 20,  21,  31,  33 

Teeth,  Irregular  wearing  of 157 

Teeth,  Molars ...20,  25,21 

Teeth,  Number  in  Horses,  Ruminants,  Dogs  and  Pigs.     20 
Teeth,  Projecting  in  Horses ...   139 


256  INDEX. 

PAGE. 

Teeth,  Projecting  in  Sheep 150 

Teeth,  Projecting  in  Pigs 153 

Teeth,  Temporary,  their  removal 69 

Teeth,  Temporary  Molars 31 

Teeth,  Temporary  Incisors 31 

Teeth,  Temporary  Canine 31 

Teeth,  Wolf 25,  51,  67 

Trephining,  Steps  in 205 

Trephining,  After  Treatment 209 

Treatment  of  Caries 87 

Treatment  of  Denuding  of  the  Teeth 92 

Treatment  of    Exostosis _.     96 

Treatment  of  Alveolar  Abscesses 186 

Treatment  of  Tumors-of  the  Gums 191 

Treatment  of  Nasal  Gleet 196 

Tumors,    Cystic 131 

Tumors  of  the  Gums 84 

Wolf  Teeth - 25,  51,  67 


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